Peace Corps of Nigeria is legal – Police IG, DSS tell court
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami; the police, the Department of State Service, and others have declared that Peace Corps of Nigeria was a legally registered organisation.
They, however stated that the group was engaging in criminal activities.
Peace Corps had in its suit requested that the court declares as illegal, unconstitutional and malicious, the sealing off of its office located in the Federal Capital Territory by security operatives after a raid on the office in February.
The organisation, in its suit filed by Kanu Agabi, a former Attorney General of the Federation, prayed the court to declare the arrest of the organization’s executive director, Dickson Akoh, as well as the sealing off of its office as illegal.
Respondents in the suit include the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, the National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno, the Director-General of the State Security Service, Lawal Daura, and the Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami.
At the opening of session on Wednesday, counsel representing the IGP, David Igbodo, said the respondents was not disputing the applicant’s right to operate as a non-governmental agency, but that it should remain as such.
“Nobody is disputing the fact that Peace Corps is an NGO that is legal. It should operate as an NGO, not try to operate as a security outfit,” said Mr. Igbodo, praying the court to dismiss the application in its entirety.
Responding however, counsel who represented the applicants in court, John Ochogwu, said his client had never operated as a security outfit.
“We have never acted as a security outfit; they have no evidence to support that claim, if they do, let them bring it forth,” said Mr. Ochogwu, during an interview with journalists after the court hearing.
For Advert: Call 08171607004, 09058228464 Follow us on Twitter @idomavoice, @idomanews Send us releases at idomavoice@gmail.com
Treasure Orokpo
A multi-talented individual with a passion for diverse fields, Treasure Orokpo is a trained journalist, skilled cook, and AI enthusiast. When she's not uncovering the latest stories, you can find her whipping up culinary creations in the kitchen and entertainment.
