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President Bola Tinubu has urged the Federal Excessive Courtroom in Abuja to dismiss a go well with in search of to compel the Nationwide Meeting (NASS) to provoke impeachment proceedings towards him over alleged human rights violations.
The go well with, filed by authorized practitioner Olukoya Ogungbeje, is marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1334/2024 and names Lawyer-Common of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, because the second defendant.
Allegations In opposition to Tinubu
Ogungbeje is in search of six principal reliefs, together with a declaration that the suppression of peaceable protests by the Tinubu-led administration constitutes an impeachable offence.
He alleged that between August 1 and 10, 2024, safety forces violently clamped down on peaceable protesters throughout Nigeria. He argued that this act constitutes gross misconduct, warranting the activation of Part 143 of the 1999 Structure, which empowers NASS to begin impeachment proceedings.
Tinubu and AGF Problem Go well with’s Competence
In response, President Tinubu and the AGF have filed a joint preliminary objection, difficult Ogungbeje’s locus standi (authorized proper) to sue and urging the courtroom to dismiss the go well with for lack of advantage.
Represented by a authorized crew led by Sanusi Musa, SAN, the defendants argue that:
The plaintiff lacks the authorized standing to convey the case as he has not demonstrated how his private rights have been violated.
The courtroom lacks jurisdiction to entertain the matter.
The go well with was not initiated by means of the right authorized process and must be struck out.
The plaintiff didn’t determine particular victims of the alleged rights violations, making the case speculative.
Citing Part 46 of the 1999 Structure, they contended that solely people whose elementary rights have been instantly breached can search redress in courtroom.
Authorities Denies Rights Violations
In a counter-affidavit deposed by Gbemga Oladimeji, a principal state counsel on the Federal Ministry of Justice, the federal government insisted that Tinubu has upheld democratic values and allowed peaceable protests.
Oladimeji acknowledged that:
The August protests have been peaceable and performed inside court-approved boundaries.
Safety brokers have been deployed to guard protesters and forestall disruption by hoodlums.
Tinubu has not breached his oath of workplace, and there’s no authorized foundation for impeachment.
Courtroom Adjourns Case
After listening to preliminary arguments, Justice James Omotosho adjourned the matter to March 4, 2025, to permit the plaintiff’s counsel, Stanley Okonmah, to answer the preliminary objections raised by Tinubu and the AGF.
The case is anticipated to check the boundaries of govt energy and the authorized thresholds for impeachment proceedings in Nigeria.
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