The Islamic Movement of Nigeria, IMN, has dragged Kaduna State
Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai before a Federal High Court sitting in
Kaduna for incessant harassment, molestation and physical attacks on its
members.
IMN also noted that security agents were depriving them of full
opportunity of performing or observing their religious
obligations/activities.
The suit brought before the court via a motion on notice
No.FHC/KD/10/126/2017 was filed by Engr. Yahaya Gilima Karofi, Muktar
Abdullahi Muhammed and Aliyu Umar against the government of Kaduna
State, governor of Kaduna State, Hon. Attorney General and Commissioner
for Justice, Kaduna State; Commissioner of Police, Kaduna State;
Director, State Security Service, Kaduna State; Director-General,
Department of State Security Abuja, Inspector-General of Police and
Chief of Army Staff.
The Movement also seek for the court’s declaration that the Kaduna
State Gazette No.21 of 7thOctober, 2016 and its contents thereof which
purportedly banned Islamic Movement in Nigeria and their religious
activities in Kaduna state constitutes a deliberate attempt at amending
section 38(1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
1999 (as Amended) and.
It added that Article 8 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples
Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act LFN 2010 by the 1st to
3rdrespondents acting in concert and same constitutes an infraction and a
deliberate effort at limiting the applicants’ Fundamental Right as
entrenched in the within mentioned laws.
The group also seek another declaration that the applicants were
entitled to equal level of fair treatment and protection like any other
citizens of Kaduna State by the respondents jointly and severally under
all circumstances pursuant to Section 42(1) – (2) of the Constitution of
the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (As Amended) and Article 2 of the
African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (Ratification and
Enforcement) Act LFN 2010.
In view of the above, the IMN is also asking for a perpetual
injunction by the court restraining the respondents jointly or severally
from any further harassment, molestations and violently attacking
and/or arresting and detaining the applicants during their peaceful
religious activities/processions in Kaduna state.
“An order on the 4th to 8th respondents to henceforth provide
security for the applicants during their major public religious
activities and processions in Kaduna State.
“An order for compensation in the sum of N100,000,000 and public
apology in favour of the applicants for the excruciating pains and
embarrassment suffered from the unlawful acts of the respondents against
them,” IMN observed.
The motion on notice is supported by three paragraphs statement disposed on by Bar. A.U. Ajodo Esq.
It is also backed up by a 21 paragraph Affidavit by the 1st applicant Engr. Yahaya Gilima Karofi.