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Former Governor of Imo State Rochas Okorocha, has approached a Federal High Court in Lagos, seeking an order of perpetual injunction, restraining the Imo State government and its agents from arresting, detaining, harassing or acting in any manner that infringes on his rights.
In a suit filed by his counsel, Alaezi Nmezi, Okorocha, who now represents Imo West Senatorial District, asked the court to declare the order for his arrest and detention by the state government as unconstitutional, illegal, unlawful and violation of his rights.
Listing the Imo State Government, Attorney General of the state, Secretary to State Government (SSG) and the Chairman, Imo State Property Recover Committee as first, second, third and fourth respondents, Okorocha prayed the court to enforce his fundamental rights under the Nigerian Constitution and the African Charter on Human & People’s Rights Act.
Since leaving office, there had been series of accusations and counter-accusations between Okorocha and his allies, and Governor Emeka Ihedioha and representatives of the incumbent government.
The development was further aggravated last week when the SSG, Uche Onyeaguocha, reportedly issued an arrest order on Okorocha, while addressing some youths.
He disclosed that the state placed Okorocha on security watch and urged Imo citizens to arrest him and alert the government whenever he was found.
Okorocha said his constant harassment and intimidation and members of his family by the respondents, their servants, agents and privies, poses serious risk to their lives.
He asked the court to grant him a consequential order for “general aggravated and exemplary damages against the respondents, amounting to N150m, for the unlawful, illegal and unconstitutional violations” of his fundamental rights, in addition to the cost of prosecuting the matter estimated at N5m.
