Lawyer drags FG to court over extra-judicial killings in Nigeria

An Abuja-based human rights and constitutional lawyer, Emmanuel Ekpenyong, has dragged the Federal Government to the Court of Appeal, Abuja, over alleged increasing cases of extra-judicial killings in the country.

Ekpenyong, in a notice of appeal, specifically sought the determination of the extent of his fundamental right to life guaranteed under Section 33 of the 1999 Constitution.

He filed the appeal after a Federal High Court, Abuja, presided over by Justice Nkeonye Maha, dismissed his fundamental enforcement rights suit for lack of locus standi (legal right) to institute the matter.

The lawyer alleged that the wanton loss of lives in Nigeria in recent times had put him in reasonable apprehension that his right to life, which the defendants in the suit were mandated to protect under Chapter VI of the Constitution, was likely to be contravened.

He had sued the president of Nigeria and the attorney-general of the federation (AGF) and, the minister of justice as 1st and 2nd defendants in the matter.

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In his originating summons dated and filed on July 10, 2020, the plaintiff submitted six questions for determination.

These included whether his “right to life as enshrined in Section 33(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) means the protection of his life beyond mere physical and animal existence and extends to the right to live a meaningful, complete and dignified life.

“Whether the plaintiff’s right to life enshrined in Section 33(1) of the 1999 Constitution prohibits any unlawful acts of omission or commission by the Nigerian state, Nigerian police, other law enforcement agents and private individuals which are capable of terminating his life.”

Ekpenyong sought an order of mandatory injunction compelling the defendants to take immediate steps to overhaul and reform the Nigerian police and other law enforcement agencies.

He also sought an order for the police to incorporate forensic science in their criminal investigations and ensure that every unlawful death committed is thoroughly investigated and the culprit arraigned before a court of competent jurisdiction.”

He also sought an order of mandatory injunction compelling the defendants to take immediate steps to improve the remuneration and welfare package of the Nigerian police and other law enforcement agencies.

In response to the suit, the defendants jointly filed a counter-affidavit and written address, contending that Ekpenyong’s supporting affidavit offended the provisions of Section 115(2) of the Evidence Act, 2011.

They argued that the lawyer had no locus standi to file the suit and had not made out a case to be granted the reliefs sought.

Justice Maha, who dismissed the suit, on May 6, 2022, awarded a N100,000 cost against the lawyer.

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But Ekpenyong in a notice of appeal dated and filed on July 22, 2022, appealed against the judgment.

In an appellant’s brief with appeal number: CA/ABJ/CV/1200/2022 dated December 22, 2022, Ekpenyong urged the court to hold that the trial court’s judgment amounted to a miscarriage of justice.

The trial court had held that some paragraphs of his affidavit were incompetent and failed to determine the germane questions of law on the extent of his right to life under section 33 of the constitution.

The appellant urged the court to hold that he has locus standi to institute the suit before the trial court. He also prayed the appellate court to hold that he has disclosed a reasonable cause of action against the respondents under section 46 (1) of the constitution which entitles him to the reliefs sought.

The lawyer contended that his suit at the trial court was for the court to determine the extent of his right to life to enable him take proactive steps to protect it now that he is alive.