PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan’s name was struck-out of the suit challenging the deployment of soldiers to Lagos during the massive 2012 protests that greeted the government directive that unsuccessfully sought to end petroleum subsidy in Nigeria.
Justice Samuel Candide-Johnson of the Lagos High Court at Igbosere struck out the president’s name from the list of defendants, following an application by the plaintiff.
Filed by the chairman of the Lagos State branch of the Nigeria Bar Association, Mr. Taiwo Taiwo, the Secretary, Mr Alex Muoka, and human rights activist, Mr Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, the N100 million suit is predicated upon the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules, 2009.
Listed in the suit as defendants are the minister of defense, chief of defense staff, the inspector-general of police and attorney-general of the federation.
The plaintiffs sought removal of Jonathan’s name on the grounds that they could not personally serve him the court processes.
The applicants are asking the court to restrain the respondents from preventing their peaceful and lawful gathering and that of other Nigerians, at the Falomo Roundabout, Gani Fawehinmi Park and other public places in Lagos State.
In a 29-pragraph affidavit he deposed to, Adegboruwa stated that a team of armed soldiers harassed him and many others at some public places in Lgaos State on Jan. 16, 2012, during the protest.
He said that the soldiers shot live bullets into the air and threw tear gas on the peaceful protesters, causing them trauma.
The suit was brought under the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules, 2009.
The plaintiffs had asked the court to order the withdrawal of armed soldiers from the streets of Lagos State during the protest.
They also demanded N100 million as damages.