President Bola Tinubu has called on the Federal High Court in Abuja to dismiss a lawsuit seeking to compel the National Assembly to initiate impeachment proceedings against him over alleged human rights violations.
The suit, filed by legal practitioner Mr. Olukoya Ogungbeje, contends that President Tinubu’s administration engaged in misconduct by allegedly suppressing peaceful protests across Nigeria in August 2024.
Ogungbeje argues that these actions are grounds for impeachment under Section 143 of the 1999 Constitution, which allows the National Assembly to initiate impeachment proceedings.
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However, in a joint preliminary objection, both President Tinubu and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, questioned the legal standing of the plaintiff and argued that the case should be dismissed for lack of merit.
They insisted that the suit failed to demonstrate a valid cause for action and that the plaintiff lacked the right to file the suit on behalf of “faceless” citizens whose rights were allegedly violated.
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The defendants further argued that only individuals whose rights had been directly violated can initiate a suit under Section 46 of the 1999 Constitution.
They also highlighted that the plaintiff had not disclosed any personal rights violations in the case.
In a counter affidavit, the AGF’s office defended President Tinubu, asserting that the government had facilitated peaceful protests in line with democratic principles and had taken measures to ensure security during the August 2024 protests.
The government further argued that the president had upheld his oath of office and had not breached any provisions warranting impeachment.
Justice James Omotosho adjourned the case until March 4 to allow the plaintiff’s counsel, Mr. Stanley Okonmah, to respond to the preliminary objections raised by the defendants.
