Court Dismisses Suit Challenging Appointment Of NIA DG

A Federal High Court presided over by Justice Okon Abang has dismissed a suit filed by a non-governmental organization, Center for Awareness, Justice, and Accountability challenging the appointment of Mister Ahmed Abubakar as the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency.

In a judgment lasting over 2 hours, Justice Abang dismissed the suit on the ground that the appointment of Mr. Abubakar is within the executive powers of President Buhari who has not acted outside the provisions of the constitution and the act establishing the National Intelligence Agency.

The court also held the plaintiffs lacks the locus standi to institute the action having failed to disclose any reasonable action justifying the filing of the suit.

Justice Okon who described the suit as a mere distraction aimed at wasting the judicial time of the court further said that since the issue concerns an appointment made by the Federal Government, the appropriate court to entertain such a suit is the National Industrial Court.

To serve as a deterrent to others who institute actions in the name of public interest litigation, the court awarded the cost of two million naira against the plaintiff which must be paid to the Federal Government before other steps are taken concerning the suit.

The plaintiffs had in their suit urged the court to declare as null and void the appointment of Mister Ahmed Abubakar as the DG of NIA on the ground he lacks the qualification to occupy the position having retired as a Deputy Director from the Agency.

The plaintiffs also asked the court to direct President Buhari to appoint the mist senior serving Director from the NIA as the Director-General