Kunle Adelabu
The Honourable Justice A.F. Pokanu of the Lagos High sitting in Ikorodu, on Friday, January 21, 2022, denied the application to join the Inspector General of Police (IGP) in a fundamental human rights matter brought before the court by Mr Oluwatosin Onamade.
The judge, in his ruling on the application, said that the IGP and others sought to be joined by the applicant are not necessary to the determination of the matter.
The matter is adjourned till February 7, 2022.
Mr Oluwatosin Onamade, a former Chairmanship aspirant for Ijede Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Ikorodu Division, Lagos State, Southwest, Nigeria, had approached the court in Suit No: IKD/11531/MRHR/21, and sought for the enforcement of his Fundamental Rights to dignity of Human Person, Personal Liberty, Freedom of Movement and Right to Property.
The application was filed by Onamade on 12th of July, 2021.
In the Affidavit of Urgency, Oluwatosin Onamade who is the Chief Executive Officer of the Western Funeral Home Limited, Ijede, had filed the application against the Deputy Inspector General of Police (Force Intelligence Bureau, Area 10, Garki, Abuja), DCP Eloho Okpoziakpo (Force Intelligence Bureau, Area 10, Garki, Abuja), ASP Abubakar Inwanfero (I.P.O), Force Intelligence Bureau, Area 10, Garki, Abuja) and Fathiu Jimoh Salisu.
According to the affidavit, a copy of which THE IMPACT procured, the applicant filed seven grounds before the court that:
“That, I am the Applicant herein and by virtue of this position, I am conversant with the facts thereof.
“That, the Respondents have recently spread their net for the search and immediate arrest and detention of me.
“That, the said arrest was maliciously instigated by 4th Respondent who made false allegation against me to 1st – 3rd Respondents.
“That, subsequently, I have gone into hiding because the 3rd Respondent is incessantly harassing and intimidating me.
“That, unless this application is heard urgently, the Respondents will not stop to violate my fundamental human rights.
“That, the interest of justice is for this application to be heard urgently, and
“That, I depose to this affidavit in good faith conscientiously, believing its content to be true and correct and in accordance with the oath laws of Lagos State 2003”, the affidavit reads.
In another 7 – page Affidavit in Support of the matter also filed on the same day, Onamade made 48 grounds why the court must urgently heard the matter.
In item eight of the Affidavit in Support, the Applicant alleged that his Cemetery was invaded by 16 suspects for the purpose of murdering him on the instruction of the 4th Respondent (Hon. Fathiu Jimoh Salisu), but in the process of the invasion, one Ifeanyi Godfrey Etunmuse (his staff) was murdered and his own younger brother, Oluwafemi Onamade was also beaten to coma.
He listed Tope Salisu, Olaide Opeifa (a.k.a Ote Inspector), Yusuf Opeifa, Lookman Ashafa, Soliu Maja, Aliu Igboro (a.ka. Eiye No 1), Jamiu Omoiya, Jamiu Orobo and Wasiu Sobo among others.
Speaking with one of the lawyers that represented the DIG at the court, he said that the ruling was expected because it was frivolous.
“We anticipated the ruling because the matter before the court was frivolous. The court said that joining the IGP and others not necessary to the matter”, he said.
“We hope that the substantive allegations will be dismissed because we know that the application is frivolous”.
Applicant’s counsel, Barr. Moses Tawose who told reporters that accompanied him after the matter that he did not have the mandate of his client to speak with the press, also affirmed that the court rejected the application.
Also in court for the matter was the former Chairman, Ijede LCDA, Hon. Fathiu Salisu who told our reporter that he was in court as the 4th Respondent in the matter filed by Mr Onamade against the DIG, DCP Okpoziakpo and ASP Inwanfero.
In a phone chat with Mr Oluwatosin Onamade after the Ikorodu High Court adjourned the matter, informed our reporter that the matter was instituted based on the petition written by Hon. Fathiu.
He also said that there was an injunction against the former Council Chairman but the details of the injunction was not provided.
While acknowledging the ruling of the court which denied his application, Onamade added, “The matter is still on in court”.
