TheCable

Justice S E Aladetoyindo of the Federal High Court, Maitama, on Monday deferred judgment on the case between the #Bringbackourgirls group and the FCT commissioner of police, Joseph Mbu.

When the case was called on Monday, the presiding judge simply told the counsel to the plaintiff: “Judgment on the case is not ready. I will communicate another date to you.”

The #Bringbackourgirls group had sued Mbu for his ban on protests, rallies and demonstrations on June 2. But inspector-general of police, Mohammed Abubakar, overturned the ban the following day.

“The force has not issued any order banning peaceful assemblies/protests anywhere in Nigeria,” the force said in a clear-the-air statement.

“Against the backdrop of current security challenges in the country, coupled with a recent intelligence report of a likely infiltration and hijack of otherwise innocuous and peaceful protests by some criminal elements having links with insurgents, the police only issued advisory notice enjoining citizens to apply caution in the said rallies, particularly in the federal capital territory and its environs.”

At the hearing of the suit on June 12, counsel to the #Bringbackourgirls group, Femi Falana (SAN), had argued that the ban on peaceful protests by Mbu constituted an infringement of the rights of his client.

Defendant’s counsel, Simon Lough, countered the argument, saying the court did not have jurisdiction to entertain the matter.

Aladetoyinbo opted against delivering a judgment, instead adjourning the case to July 14.

A source in the judiciary said that the judge might be under pressure, and this could be responsible for his delay in passing judgment.