Court Joins Interior Minister In Rights Enforcement Suit

A FEDERAL High Court, Lagos, yesterday joined the Minister of Interior in a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by a Nigerian returnee, Mr Olakunle Ajomale. 

The applicant who was deported from the United States of America on a United Airlines flight alleged that his rights were violated by the US officials and the airline. 

He alleged that a torture device was forcefully inserted into his anus by the United States’ Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers.

The tracking device, otherwise known as chip, was said to have been inserted into his anus since December 2010.

At the resume of hearing yesterday, counsel to the plaintiff, Mr. Isola Osobu informed the court of their pending motion filed on the of January 26 of last month seeking an order of court to join the Minister of Interior as a party to the suit. 

Justice Ibrahim Buba, after listening to the plaintiff’s counsel, granted the application to joined Minister of Interior as one of the defendants and thereafter adjourned the case to March 8, for hearing.   

The plaintiff said he has been suffering both body and mental torture on account of the movement of the chip in his body.

As a result, Ajomale sued United Airlines and now Minister of interior demanding $100 million and N100 million damages for the violation of his fundamental rights to dignity of human person and right to mental and physical health as guaranteed by Sections 35 and 41 of the Constitution and Articles 6 and 12 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act.