Court Restrains Governor Yahya Bello, Others from Arresting SDP Governorship Candidate
A Federal High Court, Abuja, has reserved judgment in a suit filed by Murtala Ajaka, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate in the November 11 governorship election in Kogi, against Governor Yahaya Bello and others over an alleged plan to arrest him.
The SDP candidate, who insisted that his life was in danger, prayed the court to enforce his fundamental rights to life, dignity of his human person, personal liberty, fair hearing, freedom of expression and peaceful assembly, and freedom of movement, among others.
In his ruling, Justice Inyang Ekwo held that he found merit in the ex-parte motion and affidavit of urgency that the applicant brought before the court, therefore, issuing an order restraining the respondents and anybody acting through or under them from arresting or threatening the applicant’s life and property pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.
The judge also ordered the service of all the processes in this suit together with the order of court on the respondents.
Justice Inyang Ekwo also adjourned the matter after Ajaka’s counsel, Aruwa, SAN, and lawyer to the governor, Adoyi, and other lawyers representing respondents in the suit, adopted their processes in support and against the suit.
