Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on Wednesday dismissed a suit filed by a former Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah, seeking enforcement of her fundamental rights.
Joined in the suit as respondents are the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, the Attorney General of the Federation, AGF, and the Inspector General of Police.
Stella Odua had filed the suit in August 2015, seeking enforcement of her rights as enshrined in the constitution.
In the suit, she is seeking an order, restraining the respondents from probing her over the purchase of two armoured BMW by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority under her watch in 2013.
But, Justice Abang, dismissed the applicant’s suit for want of jurisdiction, and ordered her to pay N15,000 as cost of action.
Also, the judge held that if the government had any valid reasons to arraign the applicant in a Lagos State High Court as alleged, it would not amount to a violation of her right.
However, Justice Abang dismissed EFCC’s preliminary objection to the suit for not complying with Order 8 Rule 1 of the Fundamental Rights Enforcement Procedure.
He said the EFCC did not file any opposition in line with the provisions of the law.
Counsel to the AGF, Mr. Tijani Gazali had submitted that “the Federal High Court, Lagos cannot assume jurisdiction to entertain alleged breach of fundamental rights that did not take place in Lagos.
