Less than 72 hours to the end of Adams Oshiomhole tenure as governor of Edo State, the traditional ruler of Uromi kingdom, the Ojuromi of Uromi, Anselm Eidenojie 11 has dragged the governor and eleven others before a Benin High Court over his suspension.
BusinessDay reports that the traditional ruler was last week suspended by the state governor, Adams Oshiomhole as the traditional ruler of the community for one year over alleged assault on one Betty Okoebor, his subject, travelling out of the country without government permit among others.
Other respondents in the suit are the Commissioner of Police Edo state, Haliru Gwandu, Natuke, an Assistant Superintendent (ASP), Assistant Inspector General of Police – Zone 5, Inspector General of Police Abuja, Nigeria Police Force, Betty Okoebor, Matthew Okoebor and Edo State Executive Council.
The embattled traditional ruler in the suit is praying among others for a general, aggravated and exemplary damage as compensation to the tune of N1Billion against the respondents jointly and severally as reparation for the assault, torture, arrest, detention and harassment against him in the course of their unlawful acts.
The suit filed by Benjamin Iruobe, counsel to the plaintiff wants the court for a declaration that the action of the governor of Edo state amounts to recklessness and abuse of office, unconstitutional, unlawful, actionable and without a just cause.
Iluobe said the suit was in pursuant to Order 2 and 4 of the Fundamental Rights Procedure Rules 2009 of the administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015 among others, want an order of the court for the enforcement of his fundamental rights under the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in terms of the reliefs sought in the statement in support of the application.
He also prayed the court for an injunction restraining the defendants by themselves, agents, servants and or privies or such other persons from oppressing him or imposing any inhibition or restrictions on his freedom of movement or agents and family in respect of this complaint.
He further wants the court to declare that the arrest, psychological torture, detention and his embarrassment by the respondents from 10am till 7.00pm on the 4th day of November, 2016 which he described as unconstitutional, unlawful, actionable and without a just cause.
The plaintiff wants the court to order the respondents to tender public apology to him in respect of the complaint
In the suit which is accompanied by a 44 paragraph affidavit, the plaintiff claimed that he was arrested on the 4th day of November 2016 at about 10 am and detained till 700pm at the office of the Commissioner of Police, Edo state for a period of 9 yours.
He also claimed that the said Betty Okoebor was ready to withdrawn her complaint against him, adding that she was in a dilemma since the Edo state government did not want her to do so.
The plaintiff stated that the 5th respondent, who is the Investigation Police Officer, told him that he had instruction from above that the 9th respondent, Betty Okoebor could write a withdrawal letter since she was insisting that she did not want the plaintiff prosecuted as they have settled the matter at home.
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