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File photo of some protesters during the EndBadGovernance protest
A Federal High Court in Kano has adjourned a ?1 billion lawsuit filed against the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS) over the arrest and detention of six activists during last year?s #EndBadGovernance protest.
The case, mark?d Suit No: FHC/KN/CS/41/2025, was brought before the Justice of Federal High Court 3 on Thursday. Proceedings were delayed after the respondents?including the Nigeria Police Force, the Kano State Commissioner of Police, and the State Security Service (SSS)?requested additional time to file their defence.
The court granted the request and adjourned the matter until March 26, 2025.
The plaintiffs, six activists, including lawyers and civil society members, were arrested on September 30, 2024, in Kano and transferred to Abuja, where they were held for two days without charge.
They are seeking judicial declarations affirming that their arrest violated their fundamental rights to peaceful assembly and free expression, as guaranteed under the Nigerian Constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples? Rights.
The motion, in part, read, ?They are entitled to freely express their views under Section 39 of the Constitution and Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples? Rights.
?A perpetual injunction restraining the respondents from further harassment, intimidation, or arrest.?
They are also demanding ?1 billion in compensation and a perpetual injunction preventing security agencies from further harassment or arrests.
?An order mandating the respondents to jointly compensate them with ?1 billion for the violation of their rights,? it read.
Legal representatives from Humanitarian Chambers, Kano, led by Saleh M. Thirmizi, Esq., appeared for the applicants, while lawyers from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) observed proceedings.
With security agencies frequently accused of suppressing dissent, the case is seen as a test of judicial independence and accountability for human rights violations in Nigeria.
The hearing will resume later this month. (The Guardian)
