Kanu, IPOB can be served processes via newspapers, court rules

The Federal High Court Abuja on Tuesday granted a request seeking to serve court processes on Nnamdi Kanu and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) via substituted service.

However, the court ordered that the other respondents in the suit including, the Inspector-General of Police, the Commandant General of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the Attorney-General of the Federation be served personally.

Justice B.O. Quadri gave the order following an ex-parte application by Richard Ndubuaku for an order of court for substituted service of all the processes of the court on the defendants by publishing them in two national newspapers.

Smart Iheazor, Ndubuaku’s lawyer, also asked the court to make an order restraining the respondents, whether by themselves, members or agents from disrupting the forthcoming Anambra election.

He also asked the court to make an order restraining Kanu and all members of IPOB from interfering, intimidating and harassing all registered and eligible voters in the November 18 Anambra election.

Read also: Following Chidoka’s defence of self-determination, Biafra group restores support

He further asked the court to prevent Kanu and IPOB from mobilising its members either by threat or undue influence to scuttle the election, pending the determination of the originating summons.

Iheazor told the court that his client premised his application on the grounds that Kanu and IPOB had made several utterances and threats which were published in newspapers and which they had not denied or retracted.

“From the antecedents of Kanu and the activities of IPOB, they are capable of carrying out their threat.

“Serving the processes of this suit on the them by publishing in two national newspapers will bring same to their knowledge as it will be dangerous and difficult to effect personal service on them.

“The applicant has several businesses and business interests and houses in Onitsha and Awka with over 100 staff that will be affected if the threats of Kanu and IPOB are carried out”, he said.

Iheazor explained that his client was almost 70 years old, instituted the suit as a protective measure as he could lose all his life’s investments in Awka and Onitsha in the event of a breakdown of law and order.

In his ruling, the judge however only granted the order of substituted service on Kanu and IPOB, and refused all the other reliefs sought by the applicant.

He then asked that all parties in the suit be put on notice.

In refusing to grant the other reliefs sought by Ndubuaku , the judge noted that the Federal Government had the capacity to ensure that elections held in Anambra.

The matter was adjourned until October 10 for continuation of hearing.

 

RipplesNigeria… without borders, without fears

Click here to join the Ripples Nigeria WhatsApp group for latest updates.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now