Kogi Guber: Court orders security agencies to protect SDP’s Ajaka 

Justice Inyang Ekwo of a Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday ordered security agencies in the country to provide maximum security to the candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), in the November governorship election in Kogi State, Murtala Ajaka. The order is following an ex-parte application made before the court by the governorship flagbearer, dated July 11, seeking a restraining order against the security agencies from arresting, inviting, detaining, or threatening the applicant’s life and property pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.  By the order, the security agencies which include the Chief of Defence Staff, Army, Navy, DSS and Police are to guarantee the safety of the SDP candidate, pending the hearing of a suit filed before the court. Defendants 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 1st to 11th respondents, respectively. The court held that Ajaka’s request through his counsel, Mr. Sunday Aruwa, SAN, was meritorious and accordingly granted it as prayed. “An Order is hereby made restraining the respondents, their agents, servants and anybody acting through or under them from arresting, inviting, detaining or threatening the applicant’s life and property pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.  “An Order is hereby made compelling the 2nd – 11th respondents to immediately provide maximum security to the applicant in Abuja FCT, Kogi State, and elsewhere in Nigeria pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit”, the judge ruled. Before adjourning to July 21 for a hearing, the court ordered the applicant to serve the respondents with all the processes in this suit together with the Order of the Court.  Before the court’s order on Thursday, Ajaka had earlier petitioned Governor Yahaya Bello to the IGP, Mr Olukayode Egbetokun over an alleged threat to his life, as well as that of members of his family.

Eid-el-Kabir: Police assure FCT residents of adequate security

The Police Commissioner in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Garba Haruna, says adequate security measures have been put in place to ensure a peaceful Eid-el-Kabir Sallah celebration in the FCT. Haruna gave the assurance in Abuja shortly after the monthly FCT Security Committee Meeting, chaired by the FCTA Permanent Secretary, Mr Olusade Adesola. The commissioner urged residents to go about their businesses during the Sallah period without fear of any breakdown of law and order. According to him, arrangements have been concluded for the FCT residents to have a peaceful Sallah celebration. He added that police officers have been deployed and put on alert a day before the Sallah celebration. “All the praying grounds will be covered. The DPO Area Commanders have been alerted. “Also, the Explosive Ordinance Disposal officers will scan and screen the areas where people are supposed to gather. “I want to assure residents of the FCT that they are safe and secure. “They should move about their lawful businesses. Those who expect to go to the praying ground should go and have their worship. “We will be there to support and secure them. There will be no problem,” he assured. The meeting had in attendance the heads of various military and para-military formations in the FCT, religious and traditional leaders as well as relevant officers of the FCTA.