Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Henry Owen
The Federal High Court in Osogbo on Monday adjourned for judgment in a high-profile suit filed by the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC) against the Inspector-General of Police and the Nigeria Police Service Commission (PSC). The case concerns the alleged unlawful deployment of police forces to frustrate the conduct of the February 22, 2025, local government elections in Osun State.
Honourable Justice A.A. Demi-Ajayi fixed the date for judgment for 17th November 2025, after hearing arguments from counsel representing both the plaintiffs and defendants. The judge indicated that the parties would be formally notified once the judgment is ready for delivery.
The suit, filed by OSSIEC and its Chairman, Barrister Hashim Abioye, sought a court declaration that the actions of the Inspector-General of Police and officers, including the sealing of the Commission’s head office and other offices across the state, the threats against OSSIEC officials, and the arrests of ad-hoc staff, were unlawful.
The plaintiffs argued that these actions violated their fundamental rights to liberty, privacy, dignity, and property as guaranteed under Chapter IV of the 1999 Constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. They contended that the Police’s actions demonstrated partisanship and undermined the judiciary, seeking aggravated damages of ₦2 billion for the alleged violations.
The plaintiffs further requested that the court restrain the IGP and agents from interfering with the Commission’s lawful duties in the future, stressing that the February 22, 2025, elections were court-approved following valid notices of vacancies across the 30 local government areas in the state.
In response, the defendants admitted to sealing OSSIEC offices and detaining staff but argued that the actions were preemptive measures aimed at preventing potential electoral violations. In a counter-affidavit deposed by Inspector Ogunmokun Abiodun, the Police maintained that their conduct was neither arbitrary nor partisan, but based on credible suspicion of violations of electoral laws.
The Police urged the court to dismiss the suit as frivolous, emphasizing that all actions were undertaken in line with constitutional and statutory duties to maintain peace and order during the electoral process.
📩 Stone Reporters News | 🌍 stonereportersnews.com | ✉️ info@stonereportersnews.com
📘 Facebook: Stone Reporters | 🐦 X (Twitter): @StoneReportNew
Add comment
Comments