Local government chairmen in Rivers State have approached the Federal High Court seeking a compulsion order against the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and Director General of the State Security Service (SSS) to provide adequate security for their lives and properties.
News About Nigeria reports that the chairmen made their request in a fresh suit filed by their lawyer, Mahmud Abubakar Magaji (SAN).
The chairmen also sought an order against the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) to prevent the implementation of any laws other than those enacted by the Rivers State House of Assembly for local governments.
The chairmen, who predicated their fears on alleged threats by the Rivers State Government, formulated seven major issues for the court’s determination.
They sought declarations that the IGP, SSS, and other security agencies are statutorily bound to provide security and welfare for their lives and properties and to recognise and enforce all laws and regulations made by the Rivers State House of Assembly.
They also applied for a declaration that no organ of government has the power to withhold financial allocations due to local governments in Rivers State.
The suit is supported by a 29-paragraph affidavit deposed to by Dr. Chidi Lloyd, Chairman of Emohua Local Government, on behalf of 41 other chairmen.
Some of the chairmen who filed the suit include Dr. Chidi Lloyd, Hon. Alwell Ihunda, Dr. Nwanosike Samuel, Barrister George Ariolu, and Dr. Obbinna Anyawu, among others.
The defendants include the IGP, CP Rivers, DG SSS, Director SSS Rivers, AGF, Chairman Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, Rivers State Government, AG Rivers State, and Finance Commissioner in Rivers State.
Recall that a Federal High Court in Abuja, last Friday stopped the Rivers State Government from withholding the financial allocations of the 42 local government areas in the state pending the determination of a motion on notice for interlocutory injunction instituted by the chairmen.
The court also stopped the IGP, Police Commissioner in Rivers, DG SSS, and Director SSS from withdrawing the security personnel of the local government chairmen pending the final resolution of their motion on notice.
No date has been fixed for hearing the originating summons.
