Odinkalu sues El-Rufai, demands N950m damages

The Federal High Court in Abuja will on Thursday begin hearing in a suit filed by former chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, Chidi Odinkalu, against the governor of Kaduna State Nasir El-Rufai and four others.

Odinkalu alleges multiple violations of his fundamental rights under the 1999 Constitution, including free speech, due process, fair hearing and human dignity.

He is also alleging violations by the defendants of provisions of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) Act.

Other defendants in the suit include the state’s director of public prosecution, Kaduna State attorney-general, the commissioner of police in the state and the inspector-general of police.

The case will be heard before Justice F. O. Giwa.

In the suit filed by his counsel, Mabeiam Gloria Ballason, Odinkalu is asking the Court to, among other things, declare that the effort by the defendants to procure a prosecution before the courts in Kaduna for a broadcast emission made on 16 February 2019 on Channels Television from its Studios in Abuja, which did not violate the Nigeria Broadcasting Commission Code, is a violation of his right to freedom of expression, liberty and fair hearing.

Odinkalu is also asking the court to award N950m in damages against the defendants.