11th November, 2010
The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Bello Adoke, this morning before a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja challenged the competence of the suit instituted by High Chief Raymond Dokpesi, the Chairman of Daar Communications Limited and owner of Africa Independent Television, AIT, over his arrest and detention by the State Security Service in connection with the twin independence – day bomb blasts in Abuja.
The AGF, represented by Dr. Alex Izinyon, a senior advocate of Nigeria, in the preliminary objection filed before the court, contended that the suit is premature and pre-emptive having regards to the powers of investigation and prosecution of suspects under relevant laws of Nigeria.
He also questioned the competence of the suit which he said discloses no cause of action in law.
Describing the suit as a palpable and gross abuse of the judicial process intended to irritate the Federal Government of Nigeria, the lawyer contended that the invitation and interrogation of the plaintiff was in the exercise of the constitutionally guaranteed powers of the State Security Service which the court cannot be invited to interfere with.
Dokpesi was invited to the headquarters of the security agency in Abuja for questioning following an alleged implication by one of the suspected Abuja bombers, Mr. Edmond Ebiware.
The AIT boss was later granted bail and asked to return to the agency for further investigation.
Dokpesi instituted the suit to challenge what he considers as harassment and a breach to his freedom of movement, human dignity and right to property.
He is asking for the sum of one hundred million Naira as damages for the unlawful and unwarranted infringement of his rights.
Further hearing was adjourned till 8 December 2010 by Justice Abdu-Kafarati.
By Nnamdi Felix / Abuja
Copyright protected by Digiprove © 2010 P.M.News