A Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned a N2 billion fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by Mr. Lucky Okodeh, the former Caretaker Chairman of Southern Ijaw Local Government in Bayelsa State, to November 28.
The case was adjourned by Justice Binta Nyako following an oral request from Okodeh’s lawyer, Asmau Yunusa, who sought time to respond to a counter-affidavit submitted by Mimi Ayua, counsel for the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa.
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Okodeh, represented by human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN, filed the suit (marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/590/2024) on May 3 against Gen. Musa and Chief of Army Staff (CAS), Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja.
He is seeking N2 billion in damages, accusing the Nigerian Army of unlawfully publishing his photograph in connection with the killing of 17 soldiers in Okuama, Delta State, despite his name not being on the official wanted list.
Okodeh contends that the defendants’ actions have violated his personal liberty and dignity, damaging his political career and forcing him into hiding.
He also asks the court to declare his inclusion in the publication unlawful, award the N2 billion compensation, and issue an injunction preventing further harassment or arrest by the Army.
Additionally, he seeks a public apology to restore his reputation.
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At Thursday’s hearing, Yunusa informed the court that she had only just received the CDS’s counter-affidavit and required time to respond.
The 2nd respondent, Gen. Lagbaja, was not represented in court.
Justice Nyako, in turn, suggested that the parties attempt to resolve the issue amicably and adjourned the case for further mention on November 28, instructing that the 2nd respondent be served a hearing notice.
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The lawsuit stems from an incident on March 14, where 17 Nigerian Army officers were killed in Okuama.
In response, the Defence Headquarters declared eight individuals wanted, but Okodeh’s photograph was mistakenly published under another name, a name he claims no one in his family bears.
As a result, he was forced to withdraw from the Bayelsa State LG elections scheduled for April 11, where he was the Peoples Democratic Party’s chairmanship candidate.
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Okodeh is seeking relief in the form of an injunction to prevent his further harassment and demands a public apology from the CDS and CAS to be published in both print and electronic media to allow him to resume his normal life.
