Court Strikes Out Traders’ N50 Million Rights Infringement Suit Against IGP Egbetokun and Lagos Attorney-General

Segun Atanda/

A Federal High Court in Lagos has struck out a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by two traders from the International Trade Fair, Lagos, against the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Kayode Egbetokun.

The traders, Chief Ngozi Emechebe and Mr. Juventus Uche Okpala-Okaka, alongside the Incorporation Trustees of Auto Spare Parts & Machinery Dealers Association (ASPMDA), had claimed that the IGP and his subordinates violated their rights by unlawfully invading their administrative offices.

Presiding Judge, Justice Deinde Dipeolu, dismissed the suit following an oral application from the traders’ counsel after the IGP’s legal team, led by Barrister Morufu Animashaun, presented a robust counter-affidavit, written address, and exhibits. The judge also awarded N100,000 in costs against the traders, favoring the IGP and the other respondent.

The suit had accused the IGP and his team of illegal invasion, intrusion, and disruption of the traders’ business activities without legal justification. However, the police argued that the suit lacked merit and was an abuse of judicial process, presenting evidence that the traders’ allegations were false and baseless.

Justice Dipeolu, after considering the evidence and arguments, concluded that the suit was frivolous and thus struck it out, vacating a previous court order issued on January 23, 2024. The traders were ordered to pay N50,000 each to the IGP and the other respondent as costs for the dismissed suit.