Ismail Abdulazeez Mantu Reporting
A Federal High Court located in Abuja has issued a directive for the Inspector General of Police, the Governor of Edo State, and three additional individuals to present themselves before the court. Their purpose for appearing is to provide reasons as to why the requested outcomes of the Applicant in the main legal case should not be approved against them.
In the legal case initiated by Adaze Andrew Emwanta Esq, who previously held the position of Commissioner for Information in the Obaseki administration, the individuals listed as the defendants were as follows: the Inspector General of Police, the Governor of Edo State, the Attorney General of Edo State, the Commissioner of Police for Edo State, and Prince Bala Audu, who serves as the ADC to the Governor of Edo State.
The fundamental concept underlying the three reliefs is to request that the Respondents, including their assigns or agents regardless of how they may be referred to, provide justification as to why the requested actions of the Applicant (Adaze Andrew Emwanta Esq) in his Originating Motion on Notice should not be approved. These actions pertain to addressing the intimidation and distress he has encountered due to his participation in an interview conducted by the African Independent Television Programme titled “Democracy Today” on the 16th of July, 2023.
In his ruling, the presiding vacation Judge held, inter alia, that; “Having gone through the affidavit in support of the application and exhibits attached I am satisfied that the Applicant has made out a prima facie case for the grant of the relief sought, which is an order for the Respondents to show cause why the reliefs in the Originating Motion on Notice should not be granted.”
The presiding Judge then held, inter alia, that:
“It is hereby ordered as follows: An Order of this Honourable Court is made for the Respondents, their assigns, agents, however so called to appear on the 5th day of September, 2023 and show cause why the reliefs of the Applicant (Adaze Andrew Emwanta Esq) in his Originating Motion on Notice should not be granted with respect to the threat and harassment he has suffered arising from the interview he granted during the African Independent Television Programme “Democracy Today” on the 16th of July, 2023.”
The proceedings were rescheduled to September 5th, 2023, to allow the Respondents the opportunity to attend court and present their reasons.
The individual who filed the case, serving as both a lawyer and a trusted political associate of the Deputy Governor of Edo State, Rt. Hon. Philip Shaibu, was personally present.
It’s worth remembering that Emwanta had made appearances on numerous national television shows to elucidate the challenges faced by his associate, the Deputy Governor.