An activist, Chief Malcolm Omirhobo, on Tuesday, urged a Federal High Court in Lagos to declare the restriction of vehicular and people’s movements during elections as unlawful.
Omirhobo and his non-governmental group, Incorporated Trustees of Malcolm Omirhobo Foundation, are the first and second applicants in the suit.
According to reports, the applicants are suing for themselves and on behalf of the Nigerian public. Information gathered states that the Inspector General of police (IGP), Abubakar Adamu, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were joined as first and second respondents in the suit.
In his motion, brought under the Fundamental Rights Enforcement Procedure Rules 2009, the applicant seeks a declaration that the restriction of movement of citizens nationwide, during the 2019 general elections, is an obvious violation of citizens’ rights to freedom of movement.
He asserts that it is a violation of the fundamental rights of the Nigerian public, to freedom of movement, freedom of association and freedom of expression as guaranteed by Sections 39, 40, 41, and 46 of the constitution.
According to him it is therefore, illegal, unlawful, undemocratic and unconstitutional. The applicant is also seeking a declaration that the police have no power under the laws of Nigeria, to breach the fundamental rights of the Nigerian public to freedom of movement, association and expression nationwide as they are guaranteed by the constitution.
The lawyer, therefore, seeks an order of court, restraining the first respondent, his servants, and agents, from enforcing or implementing the restriction of vehicular movement of the Nigerian public nationwide during the conduct of elections.
However no date has been fixed for hearing of the originating motion.
