A Kano-based Islamic cleric, Abduljabbar Nasiru-Kabar, has dragged the Kano State Government and security agencies before the court for infringing on his fundamental rights to religion, expression, association, movement and ownership of immovable property.
Recall that Governor Abdullahi Ganduje had banned Mr Kabara from sermon in the state over alleged inciting preaching.
The governor had also ordered the immediate closure of his mosque and preaching center located at Filin Mushe in the heart of Kano city.
Mr Kabara had since described the governor’s action as political, saying that Mr Ganduje was all out to settle a score against him.
Briefing newsmen through his team of lawyers headed by Barr. Rabiu Abdullahi, the cleric said his fundamental rights were infringed upon, hence the need to seek legal respite.
Mr Abdullahi said the legal team has filed a motion before Justice Lewis Allagoa, the presiding judge of the Federal High Court in Kano, asking the court to enforce their client’s fundamental rights.
According to him, joined in the suit included the Kano Government, the Attorney General, Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Security Service, SSS, and Civil Defence Corps.
He said: “The motion exparte was to be heard today but the court directed us to serve all the respondents with the motion on notice so that it will jointly hear all our prayers and give ruling in respect of all the prayers contained in these two applications.
“In our submissions, we are seeking an order of the court allowing the applicant, Sheikh Abduljabbar Nasiru Kabara, to exercise his right of personal liberty, right of fair hearing, freedom of movement, right of freedom of thought, conscience and religion, right to peaceful assembly and association, right to freedom of expression and right to freedom from discrimination as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“The second order we sought is the declaration of the court that the right to life, right to acquire and own immovable property anywhere in Nigeria as enshrined in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria have been infringed by the respondent against the applicant in the manner complained of in the affidavit in support of the application.
“Thirdly, we sought the declaration of the court that any acts of intimidation, harassment, freights to arrest and detain the applicant (Abduljabbar Nasiru Kabara) are in breach of his constitutional rights and such arrest and detention are unlawful” Mr Kabara’s lawyer stated.
The Federal High Court in Kano has fixed February 18 for hearing.
