A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court has ordered the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), its Commandant-General (C-G), Mr. Ahmed Audi, and others to stop harassing a contractor, Mr. Christian Igbo, over an unfinished contract.
In his judgment, Justice Edward Okpe also ordered the security agency to pay Igbo N29 million, the balance of the contract sum legitimately awarded and executed by him.
The applicant had sued the NSCDC, the CG, ACG Fabian Ejezie (Finance), and Mpamugo Ifeanyi Bartholomew as the first to fourth defendants in an originating motion on notice marked: CV/2115/2023 and filed by his counsel, Pascal Obioha.
In the suit, Igbo joined Victor Olarenwaju, Pastor Kukuyi (Accountant General Staff in Charge of CPO), and Chukwuemeka Okeke as the 5th to 7th defendants.
The applicant, a businessman and managing director of Davenchris Ventures LTD, IB-Technicals LTD, and Chrisreubben Enterprises, requested seven reliefs, including an order enforcing his fundamental human rights of freedom, personal liberty, fair hearing, and human dignity, as guaranteed by Chapter IV of the 1999 Constitution.
A declaration that the continuous threat to life, attempt to arrest and detain the applicant under the instructions of the 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th respondents who are staff, officials and/or agent of the 1st and 2nd respondents on a purely civil transaction of award and execution of contract by the applicant for the 1st and 2nd respondents which has no criminal element is illegal, unconstitutional and against the provisions of Chapter IV, 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the provisions of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act. Cap. A9, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and is therefore Illegal, ultra-vires and unconstitutional.
He also sought damages of N200 million severally and jointly paid by the respondents for the unlawful threat to his life, among others.