The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday, dismissed a 950 trillion Pounds suit filed by a businessman, Tunde Omosebi, against former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and others over allegations bordering on breach of fundamental rights.
Justice James Omotosho, in a judgment, held that the suit, marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/767/2024 and filed by Mr Omosebi, was “highly unreasonable.”
The applicant had, in the originating motion dated and filed on June 5, 2024, by himself, sued Hallies & Partner Ltd, Atiku Abubakar, Clifford Odibe and Daniel Mbohok as 1st to 4th defendants respectively.
In the course of proceedings on the matter, Mr Omosebi amended the suit by joining three persons; Ali Olayemi, Phrank Shaibu, without the leave (permission) of court, and later expanded to 13 defendants by May 5.
Mr Omosebi, in the statement of applicant attached to the motion, described himself as “a businessman, politician and by virtue of his positions as Chairman, Federal Executive Council (FEC) and Prime Minister of Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
He averred that he gets paid based on his positions, projects and contracts executed by his investments portfolio and businesses as contained in the corporate chatter.
He alleged that the agents of Hallies & Partner Ltd assaulted and criminally intimidated him at his office on July 6, 2023.
He said they left the premises with numerous threats and inhumane comments which infringed on his liberty and freedom.
He, therefore, demanded £950 trillion for alleged assault on his dignity, criminal intimidation, trauma, and enforcement of Fundamental Rights Rule 2009 guaranteed by the Constitution.
Mr Omosebi prayed the court to make an order for the defendants to tender public apology on national and international newspapers, magazines, televisions and across relevant media of his choice in perpetuity.
He sought, “an order restricting the defendants and associates from 20 kilometers radius of his businesses and property in perpetuity.”
He equally sought a £95 trillion exemplary damages against the defendants, among others.
Justice Omotosho, while delivering the judgement, reiterated the court’s responsibility to conserve judicial resources by filtering out cases deemed, “highly unreasonable.”
The judge observed that the suit originally had four defendants but was later expanded without court’s permission to 10 defendants on Nov. 19, 2024, and further to 13 defendants on May 5.
The judge held that based on these procedural irregularities and other factors, the suit lacked a reasonable cause of action and was dismissed accordingly.
Justice Omotosho advised Mr Omosebi to await judgment on his separate suit filed against the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, and others, seeking £990 trillion claim.
The judge, who highlighted the prevalence of similar cases pending in the court, seized the opportunity to address the legal community, especially the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, on the need to be cautious of such suits.
“We can’t continue this way because the temple of justice is not open for everything,” he said.
Mr Omosebi, in a similar suit before Justice Omotosho, sued CBN governor and a number of commercial banks.
The judge had fixed June 4 for ruling on the preliminary objection of the defendants.
NAN
