A Federal high Court Holden at Abuja has given ruling in a suit filled by Hon. Ahmadu Danjuma challenging the legality of a task force constituted by Gov. Yahaya Bello of Kogi State and charged to Control firearms and appointed Mr Friday Sani Makama as it’s Chariman with other Members.
In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/697/2023 and filled on behalf of Hon. Danjuma by P.U. Ogbadu Esq, the plaintiff asked the court to determine whether a State Governor has constitutional powers to constitute such a task force and make such appointments when arms control is on the Exclusive Legislative List of the Constitution and within the exclusive powers of the Federal Government.
The Applicant also contended in his case that Mr Makama and other appointees have, in furtherance of their appointment, acted as guns-for-hire and political thugs instituted with the sole aim of unleashing terror as a tool of political intimidation against political opponents in Kogi’s Governorship Election scheduled for November 11th, 2023.
In his judgment, Hon. Justice Omotosho of the Federal High Court Abuja declared that the Governor of Kogi State does not have the powers to constitute any task force on Firearms, or appoint Mr Makama as it’s DG.
The Court thereafter voided the appointment of Mr. Friday Sani Makama as Chairman of the Task Force and ordered the Police, the DSS, and the NIA, to invite, investigate, and interrrogate Mr. Friday Sani Makama and all persons working with or under him, to enable retrieve, repossess and receive all firearms in their possession.
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In a certified true copy of the court ruling, sighted by Rextun City Updates, 7 orders were handed down by the presiding Judge thus:
“1. THAT the 1st respondent has no powers to unilaterally regulate or control the possession of, or dealing in firearms in Kogi State or any part thereof.
- THAT the 3rd to 6th Respondents are the proper agencies to regulate the possession of, and dealing in firearms and ammunition in Kogi State, and Nigeria.
- THAT the appointment of the 2nd Defendant by the 1st Defendant as Director General, Special Task Force on illegal smuggling of firearms to Kogi State for the purpose of superintending firearms in Kogi State is illegal, null and void.
- THAT the appointment of the 2nd Defendant as Director General, Special Task Force on illegal smuggling of firearms to Kogi State is illegal and constitutes a threat to the safety and security of Kogi State.
- THAT AN ORDER is hereby made setting aside the appointment of the 2nd Defendant by the 1st Defendant as Director General, Special Task Force on illegal smuggling of firearms to Kogi State.
- THAT AN ORDER is hereby made directing the 3rd to 6th Defendants to invite, interrogate and investigate the 2nd Defendant and all persons working with, or under him with a view to receiving, repossessing and or retrieving all firearms currently in his possession or in possession of the Special Task Force or any member thereof.
- THAT AN ORDER of perpetual injunction is hereby made, restraining the 1st Defendant from regulating or controlling, or purporting to regulate or control the possession of, or dealing in firearms in Kogi State or any part thereof.
A phone call to Mr Kingsley Fanwo, the Kogi state information Commissioner, for the government’s reaction to the court ruling rang through without an answer.
