A construction engineer, Samuel Oladele has asked a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja for an order for his fundamental right of protection over persistent threat to his life by the Nigeria Police and suspected land grabbers.
The plaintiff in the suit marked ID/14897/MFHR/2023, filed through his lawyer, Adetayo Bello, over his fundamental right suit against the Inspector-General of the Nigerian Police, the Commissioner of Police, General Investigation Section ‘D’ Department, DCP. Sheik M. Danko, (Officer In Charge) Team.”C” and General Investigation Section ‘D’ ‘Department: (Force CIID) Annex, Alagbon close, Ikoyi, Lagos. Others listed as defendants include suspected land grabbers namely Sule Suraju (Aro of Abule Ado) and Taye Hassan (Alias Taye Burger)
The engineer is seeking a declaration that his continued invitation, harassment, intimidation and coercion by the officers of the 1st and 2nd respondents, particularly the 3rd respondent at the instance of the 4th and 5th respondents are unlawful, illegal and unconstitutional and a clear violation of his constitutional rights as protected under sections 34(1), 35(1), (2), (3), (5} AND (6), 36 (1), 37, 40, 41 AND 43 and Articles 3 (2), (4), (5) 6, and 7(b) and (d) of the African Charter and People Right (Ratification and Enforcement) Act. Cap 10 Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and Orders I & ll of the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure} Rules 2009.
A declaration that the crux of the dispute between himself and the 4th and 5th respondents is a land matter which is strictly civil and does not fall within the constitutional purview of cases and matters the Police can adjudicate on and determine.
He is, therefore, praying for an order that the applicant is entitled to the respect of his dignity as a person and that they are entitled to personal liberty and freedom from continual invitation, harassment, intimidation and coercions to transfer his title over the large expanse of land situated at Samuel Oladele Ahmed layout, 6th Avenue Extension on Kuje-Amuwo, Family Land, off Lagos-Badagry-Express Road, Amuwo Odofin Local Government to the 4th and 5th respondents is illegal and unlawful.
“An order of perpetual injunction restraining the Ist, 2nd and 3rd respondents either by themselves or through their officers, agents, privies, or however called from further inviting, harassing, intimidating ‘and coercing the applicant to transfer his title over the large expanse of land situate and lying on Samuel Oladele Ahmed Layout, 6th Avenue Extension on Kuje-Amuwa Family Land, off Lagos/Badagry: Express Road, Amuwo Odofin Local Government to the 4th, and 5th respondents without just cause.