A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has today ordered the Nigerian Military authority to suspend its operation Tagged “Operation Positive Identification.
The presiding Judge, Justice Rilwan Aikawa directed the Army to maintain status quo until determination of the suit filed by, Femi Falana (SAN) a Human Rights Lawyer.
The Human Rights Activist filed a suit marked FHC/L/CS/1939/2019 on October 25, seeking, among others, an order to restrain the operation.
In the suit, Falana argued that the planned nationwide Army operation which was slated to run from November 1, to December 23, 2019, in which Nigerian citizens were expected to move about with means of identification; saying is unconstitutional, illegal, null and void.
The Human right Lawyer added that the operation is a clear violation of his right and that of other Nigerian citizens to freedom and liberty, “as encapsulated in Section 35 respectively of the Constitution of Nigeria, 1999 as amended and Article 6 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act, (Cap A10) Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.”
In the suit, the Chief of Army Staff, COAS, and the Attorney-General of the Federation were respondents, however, both of them or their lawyer did not appear in the court.
Falana informed the judge that the respondents had been served the processes and the proof of service was in the court’s file. This was confirmed by the court.
But a principal state counsel from the ministry of justice, prayed the judge to grant an adjournment to enable the solicitor-general, Mr. Dayo Apata, handle the matter personally. (The Guadian)
