The Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled May 17, 2025, for judgment in the fundamental rights suit filed by Rev. Dr. Israel Akanji, President of the Nigerian Baptist Convention, against the Nigeria Police and several others.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu fixed the date after the parties in the suit adopted their processes.
Rev. Akanji in a fundamental rights enforcement suit, is seeking redress over what he describes as a smear campaign, harassment, and rights violations following a petition accusing him of forging the constitution of First Baptist Church, Garki, Abuja, and misappropriation of church funds.
In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/152/2025, Akanji names the Nigeria Police Force, the IGP, Senior Officers of the Nigerian Police including CP Ajani Musibau Omolabi and DCP Rita Oki Oyintare, and others, including petitioner Engineer Adekunle Mokuolu.
Akanji in an originating motion filed by his lawyer, Ovrawah Ogaga, SAN is seeking among others a declaration that his invitation, arrest, and detention on 5th of June, 2024 by the 1st to 6th Defendants as a result of 7th respondent petition against him is wrongful, unlawful, illegal, unconstitutional and flagrant violations of his rights to his personal liberty.
Akanji also sought an order of injunction restraining the 1st to 6th respondents from further inviting, wrongly arresting, molesting, and detaining him on the account of the ‘false, baseless and malicious ‘ petition written by the 7th respondent among other reliefs.
The applicant is demanding an order that the respondents pay, jointly and severally, the sum of N1bn being compensation and damages for the harassment and expenses suffered during the violations and deprivation of his fundamental rights.
However, in a court document sighted by our correspondent, Mokuolu ( 7th respondent) in a counter affidavit in opposition to the originating motion maintained that his petition was filed in good faith to address alleged abuse of office and financial irregularities against the church.
Mokuolu insisted that the police acted within their legal mandate by inviting Akanji. He insisted that the applicant was never arrested or detained as claimed but was released on bail based on recognition on the same day he was invited by the officers (1st to 6th respondents)
He dismissed Akanji’s claim of rights violation, noting that the matter has already resulted in criminal charges pending before the FCT High Court in Kwali in the suit marked CR/1045/24.
The 7th Respondent told the court that granting the fundamental rights reliefs sought by Akanji would undermine ongoing judicial proceedings.
The respondent averred that the 1st to 6th respondents must investigate crimes and were only carrying out their duty by inviting the applicant to help with their investigation.
The 7th respondent said it was untrue that he insisted that the 1st to 6th respondents invite the applicant to their office severally as he does not have the powers to control the way they carry out their duties under the law.
He also maintained that the applicant is not entitled to a hefty and deterrent cost as damages against the respondents who were carrying out their lawful duties.
https://guardian.ng/news/police-acted-lawfully-to-probe-ex-baptist-pastor-respondent/
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