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Tag: sues

  • Ex-manager sues firm for N1.062m

    Ex-manager sues firm for N1.062m

    A former CIG Motors Company Limited employee Akeem Adebiyi Adeyemi has filed a N1.062 million suit before the National Industrial Court (NIC), Lagos Division, against the management of the company for alleged wrongful termination of appointment.

    In the suit, with reference No: NICN/LA/35/2018 filed through his counsel, Olawale Fapohunda, the claimant is seeking a declaration  that the termination of his employment with the defendant through a letter dated August 31, 2017 based on protest against certain racial comments by the chairperson of the company, Mrs Chen Xuixia is illegal, malicious and wrongful.

    The claimant sought the court’s declaration that the defendant breached his right to freedom from discrimination as provided for under Section 42 of the Constitution.

    He asked the court to declare that the deliberate refusal of the defendant to remit his pension contribution from April 2017 to August 2017 is unlawful and a violation of the provisionhs of the Pension Reforms Act 2014.

    He is also seeking a declaration that the refusal of the defendant to remit the Personal Income Tax monthly deduction made from him to the Lagos State Internal Revenue Services is unlawful  and a violation of the provisions of the Personal Income Tax Act Cap P8 LFN 2004.

    The claimant seeks the court’s declaration that he is entitled to N208,000 being his outstanding entitlements and another order compelling the defendant to pay N104,000 being 25 per cent of his salary for July and August  2017 and an award of N750,000 as cost of the action.

    He also seeks the court’s order compelling the defendant to remit the claimant’s pension contribution from April to August 2017 to his retirement savings account and his monthly tax deductions for the same period to the Lagos State Internal Revenue Services.

    In his 16-paragraph statement on oath, the claimant averred that aside from being the sales manager of the defendant’s company, it was also in line with his official duties to prepare monthly sales report and present it at the official monthly meeting.

    He averred that he constantly interacted with the chairman, Xuixia and that during most of his dealings with her, “she was always complaining and murmuring racial comments against him”.

    “The claimant averred that between July and August 2017, for no justifiable reasons, the defendant illegally deducted  N104,000 from the claimant’s salaries contrary to the spirit and letters of the claimant’s employment contract.”

    He further averred that at the monthly meeting of August 31, 2017, after making his presentation, “the Chairman of the company, Mrs Chen Xuixia, a Chinese, expressed total disgust in what she referred to as “ shabby” presentation and stated: “Nigerians are not good for anything” and that “that is why most of my workers here are Chinese”.

    He claimed that when this statement was made, he protested and stated that it was unfair to make such a generalised statements about Nigerians.

    He averred that  that Xuixia got angry as a result of the claimant’s protest and  there and then terminated the claimant’s employment unfairly and unjustly.

    He claimed that his employment was terminated without recourse to the notice period stated in his contract of employment.

    He said his disengagement was unfair and unlawful.

    The court is yet to fix a date for commencement of trial.

  • IBB’s spokesman sues IGP, others for being declared wanted

    IBB’s spokesman sues IGP, others for being declared wanted

    Spokesman to former military leader Ibrahim Babangida Kassim Afegbua has sued the Police, the Inspector General and two media houses, accusing them of violating his fundamental human rights by declaring him wanted over the statement he issued for his principal.

    There was controversy over the authenticity of the letter written last Sunday by Afegbua on behalf of Babangida.

    The police, through its spokesman, Moshood Jimoh, later issued a statement declaring Afegbua wanted for allegedly “making false statements, defamation of character and for an act capable of instigating public disturbance throughout the country”.

    In a suit he filed yesterday, before the Federal High Court, Afegbua faulted the police’s decision to declare him wanted without first inviting him.

    The fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by his lawyer, Kayode Ajulo, also has Jimoh, the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and  Channels Televisions Limited as respondents

    Afegbua argued that he had not been formally invited by the police before declaring him wanted and thereby painted him “as a fugitive and common criminal with no modicum of dignity”.

    Afegbua described his being declared wanted as a witch-hunt, harassment, intimidation and persecution, as his boss had not denied the statement he issued on his behalf.

    Justifying the inclusion of the media houses in the suit, Afegbua said the police, the IGP and the Force PRO deployed the platforms of NTA and Channels Televisions to declare him wanted.

    Afegbua, who seeks N1 billion as damages against the respondents for the breach of his fundamental rights, equally wants “an order directing the respondents to apologise to the applicant through the media of the 4th to the 5th respondents and three national newspapers.”

    More supports came yesterday for Afegbua as activist lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), described as illegal the decision of the IG to prosecute the former Press Secretary for defamation.

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) have also condemned the alleged intimidation and harassment of the IBB spokesman.

    In a statement issued in Lagos yesterday, Falana, who noted that neither President Muhammadu Buhari nor Babangida has filed any complaint against Afegbua, contended that there was no justification for the action of the IGP.

    Afegbua, according to him, has not committed any offence known to the law.

  • Alleged debt: Ex-bank chief sues mortgage bank for N500m

    Alleged debt: Ex-bank chief sues mortgage bank for N500m

    Former chairman of the defunct Intercontinental Bank Plc, Dr Raymond Obieri, has filed a N500 million suit against Trustbond Mortgage Bank Plc.

    The suit is over alleged indebtedness arising from the winding up of the defunct Summit Capital and Asset Management Limited.

    In a writ filed through his lawyer, Dr Oladapo Olanipekun, the plaintiff is seeking an order awarding him the amount as general damages.

    He is also seeking orders awarding him N10 million as special damages, N15 million as exemplary damages and N10.5 million as cost of the action.

    The plaintiff is also praying for an order restraining the defendant, whether by itself or by its officers from sending any petition to any law enforcement agency in respect of matters arising from the assets and liabilities of the defunct Summit Capital Asset Management.

    The plaintiff is also seeking an order restraining the defendant or its agents from further harassing, threatening, intimidating, blackmailing or extorting him.

    The plaintiff, among other prayers, asked the court for a declaration that the defendant’s actions and assertions made in a letter to the plaintiff dated November 7, 2017 are unlawful and contrary to the provisions of Companies and Allied Matters Act.

    In a 29-paragraph statement of claim in support of the writ,  the plaintiff said that unless  restrained by the court, the defendant’s alleged unlawful acts of harassment, blackmail, intimidation and threat, will cause further significant loss of income, distress, trauma to the plaintiff and may cause incalculable damage to his career and respected personality.

    The plaintiff averred that as a result of the mental and emotional distress he suffered by the defendant’s action, he has been unable to conduct his business transactions properly, resulting in loss of income.

    The plaintiff averred that the defunct bank and its subsidiaries had extensive business relations with Summit Capital and Asset Management.

    According to him, the defendant, when it was known as Intercontinental Home Savings and Loans Limited, made investment of N845.6 million, made up of N752.5 million capital plus interest of N93.1million.

    It alleged that Summit Capital advanced loans to staff of the defunct bank, exceeding its investment of N845.6 million but which was not repaid.

    The defendant averred that sequel to acquisition of the bank by Access Bank, issues of group debt were discussed, accepted and schedules forwarded to Access Bank.

    During winding up, the  Board of Summit Capital and Asset Management took a decision and debt owed to Intercontinental Home Savings and Loans  was set off against the debt owed by Intercontinental Bank staff.

    The plaintiff contended that the winding up of Summit Capital and Asset Management was done  in good faith.

    It averred that International Home Savings and Loans on June 22, 2012 sought leave of court to issue proceedings against Summit Capital but the matter was struck out.

    The plaintiff averred that he has been singled out by the defendant for alleged malicious and acts of harassment and intimidation despite that he was not a sole director to Summit Capital and Asset Management and sole signatory to statements issued in the course of  winding up of its affairs.

    Legal Adviser and Company Secretary to Trustbond Mortgage Bank, Mr Mark Okoye said the bank was in the knowledge of the suit and that its lawyer was in the process of responding to it.

    Okoye said Summit Capital and Asset Management is indebted to Intercontinental Homes, now TrustBond Mortgage Bank Plc, to the tune of N983,633,559.49k as at March 27, 2012.

    He said the money was placed  with Summit Capital as money market investment and that interest continues to accrue on the amount.

    The debt is over N3billion.

    According to him, the alleged indebtedness was fraudulently,  wilfully and maliciously omitted from the Statement of Assets and Liabilities of  Summit signed by Dr Obieri and  filed with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), Abuja, prior to obtaining the consent of the Commission to the Voluntary Winding-up  (now liquidated).

    He said the fraud was discovered last year when TrustBond obtained the documents filed by Summit at CAC.

    The court is yet to fix a date for hearing.

  • Lawyer sues Lagos CJ, others for ‘forcing’ court users to buy seal

    A lawyer, Mr Tope Alabi, has sued Lagos  State Chief Judge Lagos, Justice Opeyemi Oke, over the sale of seals in the High Court and Magistrate Court registries.

    In his originating summons, he is seeking a declaration that the introduction and sale of seals and non-acceptance of his processes for filing on the basis that there were no seals on them is illegal and unconstitutional.

    He filed the suit at the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja.

    The Chief Registrar, the Lagos State Judicial Service Commission, Lagos State Judiciary, Attorney-General of Lagos and Justice Oke are the defendants.

    Alabi said the court officials’ insistence that he must buy the seal and attach it to his supporting affidavits amounts to denying him and his clients access to justice.

    He is praying for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants or their agents from compelling litigants to purchase the seal when filing cases, processes or deposing to affidavits.

    He also wants the court to perpetually restrain the defendants or their agents from further producing or supplying the seals.

    The lawyer urged the court to determine whether, based on its rules and the 1999 Constitution, its officials can validly force litigants to buy the seals for N250 before they can file documents in court.

    Alabi said in all the laws, statutes and rules governing the court’s affairs, there was no legal basis for imposing the sale of the seals on court users.

    “The defendants cannot put something on nothing and expect it to stand,” he said in his written address.

    Alabi also filed a motion ex-parte praying for an order of interim injunction restraining the defendants from compelling him and other litigants to purchase seals.

    In a supporting affidavit which he personally deposed to, Alabi said he was at the court’s Lagos division on October 31 to file a motion for change of counsel.

    In addition to the regular charges, he said he was charged additional N250 for a seal affixed to his affidavit in support of the motion. He said he complained to the Assistant Chief Registrar.

    “He informed me that the order was from above, and that it was beyond him. I was also at the Lagos Judicial division of the High Court of Lagos State on the 6th day of November, 2017 for filing of affidavit of service.

    “The court officials, precisely the cashiers, denied me filing on ground that I did not give them the sum of N250 for the seal,” he said.

    Alabi said he complied with the pre-action requirements, adding that “it is in the interest of justice to restrain the defendants from compelling the claimant or any legal practitioner or litigant to purchase the seals.”

    No date has been fixed for hearing.

     

  • Alleged invasion: Edo community sues Army AGF for N700m

    Alleged invasion: Edo community sues Army AGF for N700m

    Some indigenes of Ajakurama and Tarila Zion communities in Edo State have sued the Nigerian Army and the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice for N700 million damages.

    The petitioners, in a case with suit number FHC/B/CS/116/2017, filed before a Federal High Court in Benin, Edo State, alleged that the Nigerian Army, through the 4 Brigade Command, Benin, violated their fundamental human rights during the October 20 military operation in their communities, destroying the property and disrupting their normal lives.

    Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army had explained that the operation, which was carried out in the communities was pursuant to a credible intelligence, exposing the activities of some militants who were operating from the communities.

    The petitioners; Felix Odowu, Ogolugha Odowu, Aye Nisor, Christopher Felix, Ibenatei Ipuluwei and Teacher Magic, had prayed the court to declare the said military operation, during which their property were seized and wantonly destroyed, as unlawful and a violation of their constitutional rights.

    According to a statement by the counsel to the petitioners, Napoleon Egin, the prayers included an order of perpetual injunction, restraining the Army, the Attorney-General of the Federation and five others from further victimization of the communities.

    According to Egin, the petitioners’ prayers included “an order of perpetual injunction restraining the respondents whether by themselves, their privies and servants from further harassing, intimidating, humiliating the applicants and or invading Ajakurama and Tarila Zion communities, an order of injunction restraining the army from further occupation of both communities as well as a letter of apology by the respondents to be published in a national newspaper.

    “Our clients are asking for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the respondents from further breach of their fundamental rights and the sum of N700million as general damages for injuries already suffered.

    “We equally filed an ex parte motion praying the court to order parties to maintain status quo ante bellum pending the hearing and final determination of the originating motion on notice. This step was taken in view of the sinister mission of the Nigerian army to annihilate any adult male indigene of our clients’ communities.

    “As we brief you this moment, the army’s act of hostility against the good people of Ajakurama town in Egbema Ijaw clan of Edo State continue unabated and it is however hoped that with the service of this process on them today, there will be sign of peace and normalcy returning to the troubled area,” he said.

    Meanwhile, spokesman of the 4 Brigade Command, Benin, Captain Muhammed Maidawa, said the operation was in response to credible information on the activities of some suspected militants who he said are living in the communities.

    The army had earlier claimed to have discovered a cache of ammunitions and military regalia from the hideout of the suspected militants in the community, an allegation the residents describe as “giving a dog a bad name just to nail it.”

  • Alleged $8.8m fraud: Group sues Lagos A-G for stopping Indians’ trial

    Alleged $8.8m fraud: Group sues Lagos A-G for stopping Indians’ trial

    A pressure group, the Incorporated Trustees of Laws and Rights Awareness Initiative, has sued the Lagos State Attorney-General Adeniji Kazeem for stopping the trial of two Indians, Messrs Deepak Khilnan and  Sushil Chandra, for alleged $8.8m fraud.

    Lagos State had in 2015 charged Khilnani, a chartered accountant, along with Chandra, for allegedly defrauding Gree Fuels Limited of $8,776, 862.

    The Attorney-General, on July 13,  filed a nolle  prosequi in the case, leading to protests by some lawyers.

    But the group, made up of 28 lawyers led by Olayinka Olu-Daniels, in its originating summon, is contending that the Attorney-General acted ultra vires and against the constitution.

    In a motion filed on September 11 by their counsel, Olumide Babalola, the claimant sought an injunction to restrain the defendant and his officers from further exercising the powers given under Section 211 (1) (C) of the Constitution unless and until they are able to satisfy the court that such exercise is in the public interest, interest of justice and the need to prevent abuse of legal process as provided under Section 211 (3) of the Constitution.

    It asked for a declaration that the exercise of the defendant’s power of nolle prosequi under Section 211 (1) (C) of the Constitution cannot be activated in the absence of any formal explanation by the defendant to the court.

    According to the group, such explanation ought to satisfy the requirement of public interest, interest of justice and the need to prevent abuse of legal process as provided under Section 211 (3) of Constitution and

    It sought “a declaration that the exercise of the defendant’s prayer is not, under Section 211 (1), (2), subject to the defendant’s discretion, whims and caprices”.

    The claimant therefore urged the court to determine “whether or not by the interpretation and construction of Section 211 (1), (2) and (3) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), the defendant can validly exercise his powers of nolle prosequi thereunder without regard for the public interest, the interest of justice and the need to prevent abuse of legal process”.

    The plaintiff wants the court to hold “that the exercise of the defendant’s power of nolle prosequi was not exercised in the interest of the public, justice and it in itself constituted an abuse of court process in violation of Section 211 of the Constitution;” and that the claimant is entitled to relief sought if the issues raised for determination of the court are resolved in its favour.

    The plaintiff sought two reliefs from the court.

    “A declaration that the defendant cannot validly exercise his powers under Section 211 (1) (c) of the Constitution, except in the public interest, in the interest of justice and the need to prevent abuse of legal process;

    “A declaration that public interest, the interest of justice and the need to prevent abuse of legal process as stipulated under Section 211 (3) of the Constitution are the basic considerations to be satisfied by the defendant before exercising his powers under section 211 (1) (c).”

    In an affidavit deposed to in support of the originating summon by Daniel John Daniel, the plaintiff averred that the defendant, by a letter dated April 30, 2015, through the office of the Director Public Prosecution (DPP) issued a legal advice indicting the two Indians and recommended them for prosecution.

    It stated that based ­on the legal advice, the suspects were charged before a Lagos High Court in suit number ID/1544/2015 by the state government.

    The deponent averred further that members of the claimant named in the motion, led by Olayinka Ola-Daniels and numbering about 28 legal practitioners, appeared before the court as amicus curiae on July 13 when the suit was about to be struck out and expressed reservation on the unconstitutionality of the notice of discontinuance.

    The claimant, therefore, prayed the court for a definite pronouncement on the questions distilled for determination as it will help strengthen social justice, constitutional governance, federalism, the rule of law and due process of the laws of the country.

    It contended that it would be in the interest of democracy, justice, rule of law and the people of the state to grant the reliefs sought.

     

  • Orile-Ifo: Ruling House sues kingmakers over stool

    The Shobowale Afijaperi Ruling House and its candidate, Chief Hafeez Dayo Tinuosho,  have sued the council of kingmakers at an Ota High Court, Ogun State.

    Other defendants in the suit are the Ifo Local Government and the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy affairs.

    In the suit before Justice Gboyega Ogunfowora, the claimants, through their lawyer, Akin Akinduro,  are praying for restraining orders against the defendants.

    They are seeking “a declaration that the defendants should be restrained from selecting or nominating candidates to fill the vacant stool of Olorile of Orile-Ifo other than their candidate, Chief Hafeez Dayo Tinuosho”.

    They are also praying the court for an order of “interlocutary injunction restraining the defendants, their agents and privies from from selecting or nominating or appointing or making other candidate to ascend or fill the vacant stool of Olorile of Orile-Ifo other than their candidate, Chief Hafeez Dayo Tinuosho” .

    The claimants, who are alleging that the defendants are trying to unlawfully deny them of their legitimate right, averred that they are the next ruling house to ascend the throne of the Olorile of Orile-Ifo as contained in the chiefs Laws of Ogun State and the official declaration, following the death of the last Baale and the first Oba of the ancient town,  Oba Samuel Oludademu Tinuosho Joshua on June 8, 2014.

    They averred that the Kingmakers in Council wrote the Ifo Local Government for process of selecting a new Oba to fill the vacant stool of Olorile of Orile-Ifo following the death of the Oba Samuel Oludademu Tinuosho Joshua.

    They claimed that due to pressure from the Shobowale Afijaperi Ruling House and the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs directing the family and the local government to liaise with each other for purpose of selection of a new Oba,  a family meeting of the Ruling House was held November 20, 2014 for the election and nomination of a candidate to the stool as advised by the local government and as contained in Ogun State Chiefs Law Cap. 20 Section 15 and 16.

    They averred that Chief Hafeez Ekundayo Tinuosho was unanimously approved, nominated and selected by the two families of the Aridegbe Shobowale and Osungbolade Shobowale  that constitute the Shobowale Afijaperi Ruling house.#

    They added that the local government was represented by the former Secretary of the council, Hon. (Mrs.) Kikelomo Delano and two other  career officers.

    While council and the Kingmakers have since then declined to commence the installation process as prescribed by the Chiefs Laws of Ogun State, the claimants said they were surprised to see a public notice from the council dated February 23 directing the ruling house to within 14 days summon another meeting for the purpose of selecting a candidate for the vacant stool.

    The claimants said the two families eligible to present candidate for the stool are the Shobowale Afijaperi from Ogboku compound in Ikereku-Ikija of Egba Oke-Ona section of Egbaland and Tinuosho Sogoroye Abiade ruling house from the Sogoade’s compound in Kemta-Kobiti of Egba Alake section of Egbaland as contained in the official declaration.

    The claimants further averred “Oba shall be selected from the two ruling houses by rotation, following all laid down procedures by Egba Traditional Council,  the Ogun State Government, the Chiefs Law of Ogun State or any other appropriate body so assigned by the Paramount Ruler, the Alake of Egbaland.”

    They averred that Shobowale Afijaperi Onifo did not have a male child but two female children namely Aridegbe and Oshungbolade whom Odetunde and Tinuosho married respectively.

    They therefore  contended  “the people that came from both the lineage of Aridegbe and Osungbolade are those that metamorphosed into Shobowale Afijaperi from which we have: Aridegbe-Odetunde and Osungbolade-Tinuosho.

    They further contended that since the late Oba Samuel Oludademu Tinuosho Joshua hailed from Tinuosho Shogoroye Abiade ruling house, “the claimants are saying that the next ruling house to ascend the throne is Shobowale Afijaperi ruling house”.

    Though, the matter will come up today in court, it was learnt that none of the defendants has filed any response to the action.

  • NNPC sues oil firm, others for alleged trademark infringement

    NNPC sues oil firm, others for alleged trademark infringement

    The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), through its subsidiary, NNPC Retail Limited, has sued an oil marketing firm, Natural Network Petroleum and Gas Company Limited (NNPG) and two others for alleged trademark infringement.

    NNPC, in a suit filed by its lawyer, Muyiwa Atoyebi, contended that by adopting NNPG as its trade name, the firm infringed on its trademark, a development that resulted in reduction in revenue from NNPC’s marketing operations  in Ondo State.

    The plaintiff stated, in its statement of claim, that NNPG was imitating NNPC by using its colour combination of red, yellow, green, uniform, emblem and the acronym NNPG to deceive the public. It added that such act amounted to a sabotage of the government’s effort to provide petroleum products for the people.

    The plaintiff stated that it only discovered earlier this year that “the 1st defendant (NNPG) sells and continues to sell petroleum products under the confusing brand design of NNPG, at the very least, confusingly similar to that of the plaintiff’s registered trademark NNPC in Akure, Ondo state.

    “The 1st defendant with the intention to deceive unsuspecting general public has also adopted and continually used for its commercial benefit, in its retail outlets/service stations that exact unique colour/combination of colours with very similar emblem of its own.

    “The acronym NNPG, coupled with the entire features of its colour combination is associated in the mind of the public as the plaintiff’s service outlet NNPC,” it said.

    Joined as the 2nd and 3rd defendants in the suit now pending before the Federal High Court, Akure, are the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) and Registrar of Trade Marks, Patent and Designs (RTMPD).

    The plaintiff is praying the court for among others, a declaration? that the first defendant ‘NNPG’ mark is phonetically and alphabetically confusingly identical/similar to NNPC’s trademark.

    It wants an order of perpetual injunction restraining NNPG from selling, offering any service, advertising for sale or promoting howsoever the name and consequently the acronym of NNPG in any of its service outlets, or any similar acronym, mark design and/or trade logo identical or similar to its own.

    The plaintiff also seeks an order directing CAC pursuant to Section 31(1) and (4) of the Companies and Allied Matters act, 1990 to remove the NNPG’s name from its record being similar with its registered trademark, NNPC.

    The plaintiff sought N15million penalty against the defendants as compensation for exemplary and  general damages  for the infringement and passing off of its trademark and design.

    It has also instituted a separate suit against another company – Flory Mummy Nigeria Limited (FMNL) – over similar infringement.

    Last Friday, Justice I. M. Sanni ordered that the  CAC and the Registrar of Trade Marks be served with all processes in relation to the case, in their head offices in Abuja.

    The case has been adjourned till November 10.

  • Wada sues for peace

    Wada sues for peace

    Kogi State Governor Capt. Idris Wada has rejoiced with Nigerians, especially Christians, on this year’s Easter celebrations.

    He enjoined them to emulate the humility and selflessness of Jesus Christ.

    Wada, in a goodwill message by his Special Adviser, Media and Strategy, Mr. Jacob Edi, said the Easter festivities as symbolised by the Lent and Passion Week, is an invitation to a life of peace, sacrifice and holiness.

    While in festivities, he called the citizenry not to lose track of the message of love and hope, which Jesus Christ preached and practised.

    He encouraged Christians to convert the “unique atmosphere offered by Easter in an election year to call on God for His continuous protection on our country and for our leaders to overcome every challenge of leadership”.

    He advised that in the spirit of Easter, “Nigerians should remain united and put behind them acrimonies of tongue and partisanship”.

  • Card readers’ supplier’s consultant sues SSS over detention

    Card readers’ supplier’s consultant sues SSS over detention

    One of those detained by the State Security Service (SSS) over the Card Reader Machines (CRMs) used for last Saturday’s elections has sued the organisation, alleging illegal detention.

    Muhammad Sani Musa, a consultant to Act Technologies Limited, one of the firms engaged by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the supply of the CRMs said he was, on March 24 ,invited, through the telephone to the SSS’ headquarters in Abuja, by the Director General of the SSS and had since been held without any charge.

    He stated in a fundamental rights enforcement application he filed before the Federal High Court, Abuja, that he was being detained with the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Act Technology (whose name he did not mention) by the SSS since they honoured the security agency’s invitation on March 24 at 1pm.

    Musa is, in the application marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/292/2015 filed on March 27 by his lawyer, Mahmud Magaji (SAN), wants the court to order his release and declare his arrest, detention and continued intimidation by the respondent (the SSS) in relation to the card reader issue as illegal, unconstitutional and a violation of his fundamental rights.

    Musa, who is praying the court to award N100million as general and exemplary damages against the SSS for its unlawful acts, also seeks an order of perpetual injunction restraining the respondent and its agents from engaging in further harassing, intimidating, arresting and detaining him in relation to the card reader used by the INEC.

    He hinged his prayers on three grounds, one of which included that SSS agents unlawful interference with his liberty in connection with the procurement of the card readers constituted an infringement of his  fundamental rights guaranteed by the constitution.

    The applicant’s wife, Mrs Sa’adatu Musa, stated, in a supporting affidavit, that the respondent’s officials have refused her access to her husband since he honoured the SSS’ DG’s invitation and had been detained since March 24.

    She said her husband is not a staff of Act Technologies, but a consultant who is now being held with the company’s CEO.

    Mrs Musa, who prayed the court to order the immediate release of her husband, including granting all the prayers in the application, said if not restrained by the court, the SSS will continue to detain her husband without arraigning him before any court, if the respondent has anything against him.

    It was learnt yesterday that the case has been assigned to Justice Adeniyi Ademola, but no hearing date has been communicated to parties.