PHOTO CREDIT-THE GUARDIAN NEWS
The Federal Government plans to challenge an Oyo State High Court decision that awarded the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and the Department of State Services N20 billion in damages (DSS).
According to the Nigerian News Agency, the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), revealed the Federal Government's determination to appeal the ruling in an interview on Friday.
Sunday Adeyemo, also known as Sunday Igboho, a Yoruba Nation activist, filed the lawsuit, alleging a violation of fundamental human rights.
The court in Ibadan, Oyo State, awarded the AGF and the DSS N20 billion in damages for the purported invasion of Sunday Igboho's home on July 1 this year in the Soka area of Ibadan, the state capital.Malami stated that preparations were already being taken to begin the appeals procedure.
Mr Yomi Alliyu (SAN), Igboho's Counsel, has launched a N500 billion basic human rights enforcement suit in Oyo State against the AGF, DSS, and Director of the DSS over the event, according to NAN.
Alliyu further stated that the residence of his client and the automobiles had been destroyed, while during the event two security officers killed the inhabitants.
Yet the AGF's counsel, Mr. Abdullah Abubakar, said that the Court had no proof of the blood shown by Alliyu's video clip belonging to a human individual.
The video clip indicated that the House that was attacked belonged to Igboho or connected the AGF to the invasion, Abubakar added.He requested the court to ignore the exhibits and to drop the whole action.
Mr T. A. Nurudeen, Counsel to the DSS, agreed with the position made by the counsel to the AGF, insisting on confirmation from a hematologist that the blood seen in the video belonged to a human being.
Nurudeen also presented the court with a video tape in which Igboho reportedly threatened to establish an Oduduwa Republic while advising the Yoruba to defend themselves with charms and firearms.
Justice Ladiran Akintola, who delivered the decision, said the DSS's approach and procedures during the event were unprofessional.
According to Akintola, the applicant had proven to the court that the infringement of his basic rights to personal liberty, life, and account blockage amounted to a violation of his fundamental rights.
He ordered N20 billion in exemplary and aggravated damages to the applicant, as well as N2 million in costs to the applicant for bringing the action.