12th December, 2023
By Richard Elesho
The spokesperson of the Social Democratic Party, SDP in the 11 November governorship election in Kogi state, otherwise known as Ajaka/ Abenemi Campaign Council, Faruk Adejoh-Audu has been granted reprieve from police harassment by an Abuja High Court.
Justice Hamza issued the order on Monday in a matter brought in pursuance of the Audu’s fundamental human rights.
The Court restrained the Kogi State Commissioner of Police, Bethrand Unuoha from arresting, harassing or in any way intimidating Adejoh-Audu, who has become embattled over his constant engagement with the police boss.
Also restrained from harassing Adejoh-Audu in the order issued by the FCT court are the Inspector General of Police, the Director-General of the Department of State Security DSS, and the Kogi State Director of DSS.
The order was issued pending the determination of a motion on notice in an action for the enforcement of his fundamental human rights brought by Adejoh-Audu who claimed his life had come under threat from the defendants.
Adejoh-Audu, a veteran journalist, activist, politician and SDP spokesman had gone to court after altercations between him and the Kogi Police Commissioner, Mr Unuoha on election matters penultimate week after which the latter publicly threatened the spokesman with arrest and other unstated consequences.
The SDP spokesman had, on November 29, 2003, accused the police chief of collaborating with thugs to attack the interest of his party. Mr Unuoha held a press conference the next day in Lokoja and gave Adejoh-Audu 24 hours ultimatum to substantiate his allegations or “be ready to face the consequences of his actions”
The SDP spokesman took up the challenge in a 17-paragraphh reply, justifying his allegations and accusing the police chief of resorting to self-help by threatening to “visit unstated consequences” on him.
Justice N Hamza after listening to O. U. Salifu Esq, lawyer to the SDP Spokesman in an exparte application, granted the order restraining the Inspector General of Police, the Director-General of the DSS, the Kogi State Commissioner of Police and the State Director of DSS from arresting or interfering with the liberty of the applicant.
The court has adjourned the matter to December 18, 2023 for the hearing of the Motion On Notice.