Following recent reports by Amnesty International, AI alleging among other things military violation of human rights, a human rights advocacy group, Save Nigeria Movement has dragged the Federal Government of Nigeria to court seeking an order of mandamus to compel her to investigate, and ban the AI from operating in the country.
In the originating exparte motion filed at the Federal High Court Makurdi, the plaintiff joined the Nigerian Army, the Department of State Security, the National Security Adviser Adviser, as well as the Inspector General of Police as respondents.
In the supporting affidavit accompanying the motion, the convener of Save Nigeria Movement, Solomon Semaka deposed that his organisation believes that AI reports against the military authorities are prejudiced, biased and targeted at inciting civilians against the government authorities with a view to breaching national security.
Counsel for the plaintiff, Rose Ogwuche esq while taking questions from journalists posited that her client is convinced that the Court has inherent jurisdiction to compel the respondents to act so as to forestall security breaches which AI reports are capable of generating.
Reliefs sought by the plaintiff include, “an order of mandamus,” to compel the respondents to investigate and ban AI from operations in the country as failure to do so would continue to undermine national security and rights of citizens.
The plaintiff urged the court to grant such further orders that would ensure justice in the courts discretion.
A date is yet to be fixed for hearing of the motion exparte.
