Kogi Guber: Court reaffirms order to security agencies to protect SDP candidate, Ajaka

Justice Inyang Ekwo of a Federal High Court in Abuja, on Friday reaffirmed his order on security agencies in the country to provide “maximum security” to the candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), in the forthcoming governorship election in Kogi State, Mr Murtala Ajaka.

Justice Ekwo reaffirmed the order at the commencement of hearing in the suit instituted by Ajaka against the Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello and others.

The judge warned that since all the parties have submitted themselves before the court, they should not take steps to overreach themselves or that would jeopardize the trial at the court.

Justice Ekwo subsequently adjourned the hearing to September 21.

Ajaka had dragged the Kogi governor to court over an alleged threat to his life and members of his family, as well as arresting and prosecuting him over alleged complicity in terrorism activities.

Before the commencement of trial, he had on July 11, brought an ex-parte application praying the court to restrain the security agencies from arresting, inviting, detaining or threatening the applicant’s life and property pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.

The affected security agencies, including the Chief of Defence Staff, Army, Navy, DSS and Police by the order are to guarantee the safety of the SDP candidate, pending the hearing of a suit filed before the court.

In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/952/2023, are the Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, the Inspector General (IG) of Police, the Commissioner of Police (Kogi State), DSS, the Director General of DSS, Director DSS (Kogi State) Commandant General of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Naval Staff as 1sth to 11th respondents respectively.