From Noah Ocheni, Lokoja
The Federal High Court has voided the appointment of Mr. Friday Sani Makama as Chairman of the Task Force and ordered the Police, the DSS, and the NIA, to arrest him and retrieve firearms in his possession.
According to the judgement Friday Sani is to be arrested with other members of Governor Bello’s appointees of the Taskforce on Firearms in Kogi state.
Recalled that, On 9th May, 2023, the Governor of Kogi State constituted a special Task Force on Gun Control and appointed Mr. Friday Sani Makama as it’s Chairman with other Members of the Taskforce.
Sequel to this, one Hon. Ahmadu Danjuma, a Party Chieftain of the Social Democratic Party, (SDP) through his Counsel, P.U Ogbadu Esq. approached the Federal High Court on 18th May, 2023 in Suit FHC/ABJ/CS/697/2023.
“Hon Danjuma Ahmadu v. Gov of Kogi State, Friday Sani Makama and Others to determine whether a State Governor has constitutional powers to constitute such a task force and make such appointments when arms control is on the Exclusive Legislative List of the Constitution and within the exclusive powers of the Federal Government.”
Applicant contended in his case that Mr. Friday Sani, aka ‘Makama’ and other appointees have, in furtherance of their appointment, acted as guns-for-hire and political thugs instituted with the sole aim of unleashing terror as a tool of political intimidation against political opponents in Kogi’s Governorship Election scheduled for November 11th, 2023.
In his judgment, Hon. Justice Omotosho of the Federal High Court Abuja declared that the Governor of Kogi State does not have the powers to constitute any task force on Firearms, or appoint Mr. Friday Sani Makama as it’s Director General.
The Court thereafter voided the appointment of Mr. Friday Sani Makama as Chairman of the Task Force and ordered the Police, the DSS, and the NIA, to invite, investigate, and interrogate Mr. Friday Sani Makama and all persons working with or under him, to repossess and retrieve all firearms in their possession.
