- Asks Court To Dismiss Case
Following a suit by a legal practitioner Mr. Olukoya Ogungbeje that President Tinubu’s administration engaged in misconduct by allegedly violating the human rights of the August 1-10, 2024 #EndBadGovernance protesters across Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu has called on the Federal High Court in Abuja to dismiss the lawsuit seeking to compel the National Assembly to initiate impeachment proceedings against him.
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In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1334/2024, brought before the court, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, was marked as the 2nd defendant.
The plaintiff urged the court to declare that the alleged persistent suppression of peaceful protests organised by Nigerian citizens, by the President Tinubu-led administration, amounts to an impeachable offence.
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.
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Likewise, in a counter affidavit that was deposed to one Gbemiga Oladimeji, a principal state counsel in the Federal Ministry of Justice, he averred that contrary to the plaintiff’s claim, the President Tinubu-led government has been a promoter of democratic tenets.
He averred that the president had always allowed people to air their grievances and conduct peaceful protests.
“I know for a fact that the protest conducted between 1st August 2024 and 10th August 2024 was peaceful, as there was a court order limiting the protesters to demonstrate within a confined location,” he added.
The deponent added that during the protest, security agents under the control of the president were present to protect the protesters and ensure that their civil action was not hijacked by hoodlums.
“I know as a fact that the 1st defendant has always ensured that law and order are adhered to strictly by the security agencies and institutions of the arm of government.
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“Contrary to the deposition in paragraph 26 of the Affidavit in support of the Originating Summons, I know as a fact that the 1st defendant has not violated any provision of his oath of office and allegiance.
“There has been no breach on his part that would warrant his impeachment from office as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he further averred.
After listening to both parties, Justice James Omotosho adjourned the case till March 4 to enable the counsel representing the plaintiff, Mr. Stanley Okonmah, to respond to the preliminary objection by President Tinubu and the AGF.
