TheCable

A federal high court in Abuja has been asked to investigate Nyesom Wike, governor of Rivers state, over the violence during the conduct of the 2919 presidential election in the state.

The Incorporated Trustees Global Integrity Crusade Network had dragged the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) before the court asking it to compel the commission to begin the probe of Wike for his role in the electoral violence that occurred in the state during the election.

The plaintiff, through their counsel, Edward Omaga, applied for an of order of mandamus compelling the commission to begin investigation into the role of Wike and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the crisis that led to injury of Adams Salami and Adeosun Adebayo, while performing their legitimate duties of ensuring a hitch-free collation at Obio/Akpor local government headquarters collation centre in Rivers.

The plaintiff is also asking the court for an order directing that the sum of N5billion be paid by Wike and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as compensation to Adams Salami, a captain, and Adeosun Adebayo, corporal, pursuant to section 6 (1) (e) of the National Human Rights (Amendment) Act, 2010 for the violation of their fundamental rights to human dignity.

The plaintiff said it is seeking the order on the ground that on March 20, 2019 the plaintiff/applicant wrote a letter to the defendant drawing its attention to the ugly incident of inhuman treatment, violent attack and attempt to murder some military officers, particularly Salami and Adebayo who were sent to maintain peace during the controversial governorship rlection conducted on March 9, 2019 in which Wike sought re-election for a second term.

”Unless and until the Defendant is compelled by an Order of this Honourable Court it will continue to leave the fundamental rights of Captain Adams Salami and Corporal Adeosun Adebayo unenforced with the attendant negative effect on their health,” , the plaintiff said.

”The failure, refusal and or omission by the Defendant to investigate the role of Governor Nyesom Wike and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the crisis that led to injury to the persons of Captain Adams Salami and Corporal Adeosun Adebayo has caused them severe pain, mental trauma and psychological great damage, thereby entitling them to compensation.

”The Plaintiff/Applicant is aggrieved and hereby applies that this Honourable Court invokes the provisions of the law by issuing a Writ of Mandamus compelling the Defendant to forthwith jumpstart investigation of the role of Governor Nyesom Wike and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the crisis that led to injury to the persons of Captain Adams Salami and Corporal Adeosun Adebayo at about 10.30pm of Saturday, March 9, 2019 while the duo were performing their legitimate duties of ensuring a hitch free collation at the outer perimeter of Obio/Akpor Local Government Headquarters Collation Centre in Rivers State and appropriately refer the offenders to the Attorney-General of the Federation or Attorney-General of Rivers State, for prosecution.”