Presidency 2023: Nine lawyers sue Obi at Federal High Court, Lagos

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, has been dragged to the Federal High Court, Lagos, by nine legal practitioners and another stakeholder, seeking to halt arrangements by Obi’s supporters to hold a rally tagged “#Obidatti23 Forward Ever Rally” on October 1 or any other date, in Lagos State.

The lawyers are demanding the Federal High Court to restrain the LP, its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, the vice presidential candidate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed, including Julius Abure, and Obi’s followers from organizing the rally, pending the hearing and determination of their motion-on-notice of September 12.

The 10 individuals that filed the suit were identified to include Adedotun Ajulo Esq., Salamatu Suleiman Lewi Esq., Hakeem Ijaduola, Esq., Ogunbona Akinpelu Esq., Owolabi K. Oluwasegun, Esq., Mogbojuri Kayode Esq., Wuyep Mantim Nadom Esq., Dimimu Mabel, Esq., Kolawole Salami, Esq. and Wale Abe Lawrence – not a lawyer.

The defendants in the suit include Peter Obi, LP, Baba-Ahmed, Abure, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Commissioner of Police (Lagos State Command), Director-General (Department of State Services), Lekki Concession Company (LCC) Limited, Attorney-General of Lagos State and the Governor of Lagos State.

The lead counsel, Dada Awosika, SAN, leading Temilolu Ademolekun and others, in an ex parte motion filed before Justice Daniel Osiagor for their plaintiffs, contended that a repeat or celebration of the “infamous” #EndSARS protest of 2020 under political guise of “#Obidatti23 Forward Ever Rally” will cause a breakdown of peace and will result in a post-traumatic stress disorder for them and the public.

They sought four reliefs from the court; these include “An order of interim injunction restraining the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th defendants; their associates and loyalists from conducting the scheduled #EndSARS rally tagged as the “#Obidatti23 Forward Ever Rally on the 1st of October 2020 or any other subsequent date, at the Lekki Toll Gate until the hearing and determination of the Motion-On-Notice dated the 12 Day of September, 2022;

“An order of interim injunction restraining the 1st 2nd, 3rd, and 4th defendants and their loyalists from further planning and promoting the Scheduled #EndSARS rally tagged as the “#Obidatti23 Forward Ever Rally.

“An order of interim injunction restraining the 5th 6th, 7th Defendants from allowing or granting permissions to the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Defendants, their agents, and the organizers of “#Obidatti23 Forward Ever Rally” at the behest of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Defendants from carrying out the said anniversary on the 1st of October, 2022 and any other subsequent date.

“An order of interim injunction restraining the 8th Defendant (LCC) from granting permission to the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Defendants; their agents, privies, allies, and loyalists, to make use of the Lekki Toll Gate or any space under and within the control of the 8th Defendant for carrying out the said anniversary on the 1st of October 2022 and any other subsequent date.”

Justice Osiagor, after an application by Awosika, ordered the plaintiffs to put all the defendants on notice.

The judge, thereafter, adjourned the suit to September 23 for hearing of the substantive motion.