COURT FIXES OCT. 8 FOR ODILI’S FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS SUIT AGAINST NIS
Written by Samson Ojeniran on October 5, 2021
The Abuja Federal High Court has fixed October 8 for a hearing on a suit filed by former Rivers State governor, Peter Odili against the Nigeria Immigration Service over the seizure of his passport at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
Justice Inyang Ekwo adjourned the suit refusing to entertain the oral reply of Odili’s counsel, Ifedayo Adedipe against the application challenging jurisdiction, insisting that only written addresses be presented.
When the hearing kicked off on the matter on Tuesday, Ifedayo told the court that the NIS served him a preliminary objection challenging the jurisdiction of the court to hear the matter, and therefore urged the court for a short adjournment, to enable him to respond.
Counsel to NIS Jimoh Adamu acknowledged serving the senior Lawyer the preliminary objection and did not oppose the adjournment.
Justice Ekwo adjourned the matter till October 8 and urged Adedipe to ensure that he serves his response on the NIS before the next adjourned date, adding that the process of any party absent in court would be deemed as adopted.
The former governor Peter Odili dragged the NIS to court on the grounds that the service breached his fundamental rights when it seized his international passport upon his return to Nigeria from the United Kingdom where he had gone for his medical checkup.
The NIS, however, told the court that the former governor’s passport was seized because he was placed on the watch list of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
Editor: Paul Akhagbemhe
