Isese Festival: Lawyer Slams N100m Suit On IGP, Kwara, Others

A lawyer, Olukoya Ogungbeje has slammed a N100 million suit on the inspector-general of police  (IGP), Kwara State and seven others before the Federal High Court in Lagos over their alleged violation of the fundamental rights of traditional worshippers in the state.

Ogungbeje, in the fundamental rights enforcement suit, is asking the for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the respondents from arresting, detaining, harassing and further violating the rights to freedom of religion, thoughts and conscience of traditional religion adherents and faithful as it relates to the planned Isese Cultural Festival or any other cultural festival to be celebrated in any part or state in Nigeria

He listed as second to nine respondents in the suit numbered FHC/L/CS/1674/2023: the Kwara State Police Commissioner; the State Government; Registered Trustees of Council Of Ulama (Islamic Clerics).

Others are Justice Salihu Mohammed, Executive Secretary of Council of Ulama; Sheikh (Dr) Mohammed Bashir Saliu, Chief Imam of Ilorin and Chairman of Council of Ulama; Alfa Abdulsalam Baba Tonile Okuta-Agidu; Kwara State Magistrates Court, Ilorin, and Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) Ilorin, Kwara State.

Ogungbeje claimed that he filed the suit against the respondents in the public interest on behalf of traditional religious adherents and worshipers in Nigeria.

The lawyer contended that the suit is also filed in pursuant to the freedom of religion, thoughts, belief and conscience, under sections 36, 38, 42, and 46 of the 1999 Constitution, Order Ii Rules 1 And 2 of the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules 2009; Order Xi of the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules 2009 and under the court’s inherent jurisdiction as imbued by Section 6(6)(b) of the Constitution.

He urged the court for the determination of the following questions: “Whether he can approach the court in public interest for the enforcement of any of the Fundamental Rights expressly enshrined under Chapter IV of the Constitution by the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules 2009 seeking redress for violation or breach of any of the rights guaranteed by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (As Amended) and whether the reliefs sought are personal to the Applicant or not.

“A determination of the question whether the fundamental rights to freedom of religion guaranteed under Section 38 of the Constitution extend to traditional religion adherents who are Citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and can enjoy the right to freedom of religion and practice their religion and celebrate cultural festivals without any let or hindrance by the Respondents in any part or State in Nigeria…”