The Appeal Court judge said the lower court judge should not have awarded the cost based on his personal parameter. He described the cost awarded as “outrageous”.
The Court of Appeal in Ibadan on Tuesday nullified the N20 billion cost awarded against the Department of State Security in a fundamental human rights suit filed by Sunday Adeyemo popularly known as Sunday Igboho.
Justice Ladiran Akintola of Oyo State High Court had, on September 17, 2021, awarded N20 billion cost “as exemplary and aggravated damage” against the State Security Service (SSS) for the invasion of Adeyemo’s residence on July 1, 2021.
The Appeal Court judgment, delivered virtually, was read by Justice Muslim Hassan.
Hassan said the lower court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the matter and, thereby, set aside the judgment.
According to him, the lower court judge should not have awarded the cost based on his personal parameter. He described the cost awarded as “outrageous”.
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SSS invaded Igboho’s residence in the Soka area of Ibadan on July 1, 2021, over his agitation for the creation of the Yoruba nation.
The invasion allegedly led to the destruction of the Yoruba Nation agitator’s property and the death of two of his associates.
This, however, necessitated the filing of the suit with Igboho seeking an enforcement of his fundamental human rights against the SSS.
However, Yomi Alliyu (SAN), counsel to Igboho, declined comments on the judgment, as he did not respond to messages sent to him for his reactions.
(NAN)
