A chieftain of the All Progressive Congress, Vershima Akaangee, has filed a fundamental human rights suit challenging the ban on party activities by Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State.
Akaangee, who is also a legal practitioner, is seeking to enforce his right to peaceful assembly and association, which he claimed has been violated by the respondents, including the Inspector General of Police, the Commissioner of Police for Benue State Command, Governor Alia, and the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and Public Order for Benue State.
The suit, numbered MHC/845M/2024, challenges the constitutionality of the order banning political activities and the continued barricade of the APC state secretariat by the police.
Akaangee is seeking a court order directing the respondents to remove the barricade, vacate the premises, and restrain them from interfering with the rights of APC members in Benue State.
Additionally, he is seeking N5 billion in damages for the infringement on his fundamental human rights.
The case has been adjourned to May 23, 2024, for hearing.
The dispute stems from a supremacy battle between Senator George Akume and Governor Alia, which has led to a split in the party, resulting in two factions.
One faction, chaired by Austin Agada, is backed by Akume, while the other, chaired by Benjamin Omakolo, supports Governor Alia.
