Bombings: Fawehinmi sues Jonathan, SSS, seeks IBB’s arrest

Mohammed Fawehinmi, son of the late human rights lawyer, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, has sued President Goodluck Jonathan and heads of the national security agencies for the increasing spate of bombings in the country.

Fawehinmi also asked Justice Binta Nyako of a Federal High Court, Lagos for a leave to apply for an order of mandamus compelling the arrest of former military President, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the State Security Service and the Defence Intelligence Agency are among agencies whose heads were sued by Fawehinmi.

Others are the Inspector-General of Police; Head, Special Anti-bomb squad of the Nigerian Police, the National Security Adviser; and the Attorney-General of the Federation.

At the hearing on Monday, Nyako asked the plaintiff to file his written address in support of the application and adjourned till Wednesday.

Fawehinmi in the suit, dated November 30, 2011, has put before the court 16 issues for determination.

One of such issues is whether Babangida can be absolved of any “wrongdoing or involvement in the coordination of the recent bombing incidents that had occurred since October 1, 2010,” in spite of unresolved killing of the renowned journalist Mr. Dele Giwa, by a parcel bomb under his regime.

He also wants to know if Babangida ordered an investigation into Giwa’s death.

The plaintiff also wants the court to determine whether Nigeria can be described as safe, and if Jonathan can be said to have performed his duties as prescribed in certain provisions of the constitution, despite the incessant bombing in various parts of the country.

Fawehinmi, who also seeks the arrest of former Minister of Defence, Adetokunbo Kayode, wants the court to determine if he and his predecessor, Bello Haliru, had competently performed their duty as prescribed in Nigeria’s constitution.

He is also seeking the court to compel the replacement of the Minister of Defence, Mr. Bello Haliru with “a young vibrant military retired senior officer.”

Fawehinmi, who expressed doubts whether the various heads of the government agencies had performed their duties as prescribed in the constitution and other law books, wants the court to order the EFCC, the Police and the SSS to submit their intelligence report prior to the Independence Day bombing in 2010 to the court.