President Bola Tinubu has urged the Federal High Court in Abuja to dismiss a lawsuit seeking his removal from office over alleged incompetence in handling the August 1–10, 2024, nationwide Hunger protests.
In a joint preliminary objection filed alongside Lateef Fagbemi, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Tinubu argued that the suit, brought by Olukoya Ogungbeje, lacked a valid cause of action. They also contended that Ogungbeje had no legal standing to initiate the case.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1334/2024 and filed on September 4, 2024, seeks six reliefs, including an order compelling the National Assembly to begin impeachment proceedings against Tinubu for alleged violations of fundamental rights during the protests.
Ogungbeje claims the president’s handling of the demonstrations amounted to gross misconduct, warranting impeachment under Section 143 of the Nigerian Constitution.
However, Tinubu’s legal team dismissed the claims as baseless, arguing that the lawyer failed to demonstrate any violation of his rights or provide evidence of illegality in the government’s response to the protests.
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The protests, driven by worsening food insecurity, saw demonstrators accusing the government of failing to address the crisis. While critics alleged suppression of dissent, the administration maintained that the demonstrations were managed within legal bounds, with security agencies ensuring the protection of protesters.
In a counter-affidavit, the AGF insisted that Tinubu had upheld democratic principles, including allowing peaceful protests, and that there was no breach of his oath of office to justify impeachment.
At Monday’s hearing, Ogungbeje’s lawyer, Stanley Okonmah, requested an adjournment to respond to the defendants’ objections. Justice James Omotosho granted the request and scheduled the next hearing for March 4, 2025.
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