IGP Alkali Baba, CP, DPO dragged to Court in Kwara. 

They were in a suit No. FHC/IL/C5/6/2023 filed by Adeleye Smith Esq. on behlaf of his clients; Abdullahi Mohamned, Aliu Mazuma for themselves and others in an Islamic Organization in Lafiagi, Kwara State, the IGP is accused of unlawful deprivation, and unconstitutional violation of the applicants’ rights to fair hearing and freedom of religion or belief.

The other two respondents  in the suit were one Musa Ndagi and Gimba Alhassan who are members of a rival Islamic sect in Lafiagi and the avowed opponents of the applicant Isamic group in the town.

According to the lawyer, the IGP and his men were challenged in court pursuant to sections 36, 38 and 40 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended and articles 1,2,8,10 and 11 of African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights as well as Order Two Rulea 1&2 of the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules 2009.

They were praying for six Court’s declarations among others that the continued lock up of the applicants’ mosque; Jama’atu Ahlu Sunnah Salfi-yat by the police since 12th November, 2022 was illegal, unlawful and an unconstitutional violation of the applicsnts’ rights.

Also, that the same continued lock-up of the mosque in Lafiagi since then, constituted a brazen infringement of the applicants’ fundanentak rights to fair hearing and freedom of religion and belief or practice and observance guaranteed under Section 36,38 and 40 of the Constitution of Nigeria.

Also, they were seeking an order compelling the IGP and his men jointly and severally to immediately and unconditionally open the mosque as their place of worship forthwith whike also asking the court to compel the IGP and his men to pay the sum of N50 million as general damages.

They were also asking for a perpetual injunction restraining the respondents jiontly and severally or anybody drawing authorities from them by whatsoever name called from further harassing and lock-up of their mosque as a place of worship or violating their  rights on any facts connected with or related to the facts of the case.

When the case came up for hearing, counsel; Ramat Temim to Musa Ndagi and Gimba Alhassan  told the court that she was briefed less than twenty four hours before the hearing date in case in the suit asking the court for an adjournment to study details of the matter.

Also, the Police counsel A.A Aladejare    said the Divisional Police Officer of Lafiagi who allegedly locked up the mosque had been difficult to contact because of the distance of Lafiagi to Ilorin, the State capital. He also requested for an adjournment to enable him do the contact for briefing.

In an interview with this reporter, Abdullahi Mohammed said he is the relugious leader of the Isamic sect pointing out that they had been the subjrct of series of attacks since 2005 by the opponent group often leading to bloodshed and severe bodily harms on his members.

He said aside having to take his injured members to the hospital for treatments his group, as the peaceful and law abiding sect in line with their teachings and doctrines had also been reporting every ugly incident to the police accordingly.

Ndagi therefore expressed worriness that of late, police had been taking sides in the matter to the point of arresting and detaining his members in the most shocking manner a development that was capped with the unilateral lock up of their mosque and personally done by the DPO without any court order to do so.

The presiding judge, Hon. Justice Mohamned Sanni whrn the case came up for hearing had advised the two sides to think of a possible peaceful resolution in the matter within a shortest possible time beause of its sensitive nature. He adjourned for a possible out of court settlement or a resumed hearing on the 15th of March, 2023.