The SNG Global Option Limited/GTE, popularly known as the Save Nigeria Group has dragged the President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, and key officials of his administration to court for the curtailment of the rights of the members of the group.
In the suit seeking for an order for the enforcement of its fundamental human rights under the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), the SNG also joined as respondents the National Security Adviser, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of Army Staff, the Inspector General of Police and the Attorney General of the Federation.
The SNG said it is bringing the suit pursuant to Sections 34, 35(1), 39(1), 40, 41(1) and 46(1) of the country’s constitution and Articles 5, 6, 9, 10, 12(1) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ratification and enforcement).
The SNG is seeking a declaration of the court “that the intimidation, harassment, torture and restriction of the movement of the members and supporters of the Applicant into the Gani Fawehinmi Park (Freedom Park), Ojota – Lagos for the purposes of continuing their peaceful protests against the withdrawal of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (otherwise called petrol) and other policies of the Federal Government of Nigeria, on Monday 16th January, 2012 by the combined team of men and officers of the Nigerian Army and Nigerian Police Force, on the instruction of and acting as agents and/or officers of the 1st to 5th Respondents, constitute gross violations of the Applicant’s fundamental rights to freedom of expression including the freedom to hold opinions, freedom of movement, personal dignity and peaceful assembly and association as guaranteed by the provisions of Sections 34, 35(1), 39(1), 40, 41(1) AND 46(1) of the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 ( AS AMENDED ), Articles 5, 6, 9, 10, 12(1) of the Africa Charter on Human And Peoples Rights (Ratification And Enforcement) Act, CAP A9, LFN 2004.
“A declaration that the threats of the Respondents to further intimidate, harass, torture and restrict the movement of the Applicant, its members and supporters into the Gani Fawehinmi Park (Freedom Park), Ojota – Lagos or any other place and/or venue it desires for the purposes of continuing their peaceful protests against the withdrawal of subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (otherwise called petrol) and other policies of the Federal Government of Nigeria, constitute gross violations of the Applicant’s fundamental rights to freedom of expression including the freedom to hold opinions, freedom of movement, personal dignity and peaceful assembly and association as guaranteed by the extant provisions of Sections 34, 35(1), 39(1), 40, 41(1) AND 46(1) of the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 ( AS AMENDED), Articles 5, 6, 9, 10, 12(1) of the Africa Charter on Human And Peoples Rights (Ratification And Enforcement) Act, CAP A9, LFN 2004.
“An order of perpetual injunction restraining the Respondents, their agents, privies, and/or assigns howsoever from further acts that will constitute intimidation, harassment, torture and restrictions or threats of restrictions of the movement of members and supporters of the Applicant into the Gani Fawehinmi Park (Freedom Park), Ojota – Lagos (or any other place and/or venue it desires to publicly protest the policies of the government) for the purposes of protesting the Respondents’ policy withdrawing subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (otherwise called petrol) and other policies of the Federal Government of Nigeria in line with their extant rights under the provisions of Sections 34, 35(1), 39(1), 40, 41(1) AND 46(1) of the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 ( AS AMENDED ), Articles 5, 6, 9, 10, 12(1) of the Africa Charter on Human And Peoples Rights (Ratification And Enforcement) Act, CAP A9, LFN 2004.
“An order directing the Respondents to publicly tender an unreserved apology to the Applicant in terms and words acceptable to the Applicant for the indignity and other breaches of Applicant’s fundamental rights mentioned in Reliefs 1 and 2 AND publish and/or cause the apology to be published in at least 3 (three) National Newspapers.
“N100,000,000.00 (One Hundred Million Naira Only) being general, special and exemplary damages against the Respondents jointly and severally for the unlawful, arbitrary and illegal violation of the Applicant’s fundamental rights.
“And for such further or other order (s) as this Honourable Court may deem fit to make in the circumstance.”
The spokesman of the group, Yinka Odumakin, made the deposition of the affidavit attached to the orders of the court being sought.
No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit filed at the Federal High Court, Lagos.