Kassim Afegbua, media adviser of former military president Ibrahim Babangida, is suing the Nigeria Police Force and the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, to the tune of ₦1 billion, Punch reports.
Afegbua is reportedly suing over his alleged harassment and persecution by the police as a result of the statement on behalf of his principal, Babangida.
The statement, released on Saturday, asked for the phasing out of “analogue leaders,” and the ushering in of a new generation of leaders.
The statement also criticised the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration, and a counter-statement signed by Babangida himself had quickly been released on the same day saying the earlier statement had been Afegbua’s personal opinion.
Babangida had on Monday, in an interview with ThisDay, said the counter-statement had been from well-meaning friends, but his earlier statement criticising the current administration, saying, “My original statement still stands.”
Still, on Monday evening, the Nigeria Police, through the public relations officer, Jimoh Moshood, had released a statement declaring Afegbua wanted for “making false statements, defamation of character and for an act capable of instigating public disturbance throughout the country.”
Afegbua’s lawyers had earlier said their client will turn himself in on Wednesday when he returns from a trip.
It has however been revealed that Afegbua is suing the Nigeria Police Force, the IGP, Jimoh Moshood, the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), and Channels TV.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/129/2018, was filed before the Federal High Court, Abuja, and seeks ₦1 billion for the violation of his fundamental human rights.