Court orders Gov Bello to pay N500m to SDP’s Ajaka over rights violation

A Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday issued an order mandating Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello to pay N500 million to Murtala Ajaka, the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

This order was issued in response to the violation of Ajaka’s fundamental rights.

Justice Inyang Ekwo, in his decision, further ordered Bello to publicly apologize to Ajaka” for the gross and unwarranted violation” of his rights

Justice Ekwo also issued an order, instructing security agencies and their leaders to guarantee the safety of Murtala Ajaka.

The judge further made “an order of injunction, restraining the security agencies from arresting/abducting, detaining and/or further harassing, intimidating, shooting/threatening the applicant’s life and properties”.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Ajaka sought legal protection against Governor Bello through an originating motion marked FHC/ABJ/CS/952/2023.

This motion was filed on July 11 by his lawyer, S.E. Aruwa, SAN.

The Nigeria Police Force, the Inspector General of Police, the Kogi State Commissioner of Police, the Department of State Service (DSS), and the Director General of the DSS were all included as respondents in the lawsuit

respondents include the Director of the DSS Command in Kogi, the Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of Army Staff, and the Chief of Naval Staff.

Kanyi Daily recalls that Yahaya Bello had commended the conduct of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security personnel during the off-cycle governorship election in the state.