Monarch sues Oshiohmole, demands reparation

Anselm Eidenojie II, the traditional ruler of Uromi kingdom, in Edo State, has dragged Governor Adams Oshiomhole, to court over his suspension from office. The traditional ruler was suspended last week by Governor Oshiomhole, over an alleged assault on one Betty Okoebor, his subject, and for travelling out of the country without government’s permit, among other allegations. Other respondents in the suit instituted at a Benin High Court, are the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Betty Okoebor, Matthew Okoebor and Edo State Executive Council. The embattled traditional ruler is praying among others for a general, aggravated and exemplary damage as compensation to the tune of N1billion against the respondents jointly and severally as reparation for the assault, torture, arrest, detention and harassment against him in the course of their “unlawful acts”.

The suit filed by Benjamin Iruobe, counsel to the plaintiff, wants the court to declare that the action of the governor of Edo State amounts to recklessness and abuse of office, unconstitutional, unlawful, actionable and without a just cause. Eidenojie, who said the suit was in pursuant to Order 2 and 4 of the Fundamental Rights Procedure Rules 2009 of the administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015 among others, wants an order of the court for the enforcement of his fundamental rights under the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in terms of the reliefs sought in the statement in support of the application.

He also prayed the court for an injunction restraining the defendants by themselves, agents, servants and or privies or such other persons from oppressing him or imposing any inhibition or restrictions on his freedom of movement or agents and family in respect of this complaint. He further wants the court to declare that the arrest, psychological torture, detention and his embarrassment by the respondents from 10:00am till 7.00pm on November 4, 2016 was unconstitutional, unlawful, actionable and without a just cause. The plaintiff wants the court to order the respondents to tender public apology to him in respect of the complaint. In the suit which is accompanied by a 44 paragraph affidavit, the plaintiff claimed that he was arrested on November 4, 2016 at about 10:00 am and detained till 7:00pm at the office of the Commissioner of Police, Edo State. He also claimed that the said Betty Okoebor was ready to withdrawn her complaint against him, adding that she was in a dilemma since the Edo State government did not want her to do so. The plaintiff stated that the 5th respondent, who is the Investigation Police Officer, told him that he had instruction from above that the 9th respondent, Betty Okoebor could write a withdrawal letter since she was insisting that she did not want the plaintiff prosecuted as they have settled the matter at home.