Media Adviser to former Head of State, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, Mr. Kassim Afegbua on Tuesday slammed a N1 billion suit on the Nigeria Police Force, the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris, and some media houses.
The police had on Monday declared Afegbua wanted over a statement he issued, which was credited to Babangida, who later denied issuing such statement.
Afegbua said he was suing the police to protest alleged harassment and persecution.
The case was file at the Federal High Court, Abuja on Tuesday through his lawyer. The suit number is FHC/ABJ/CS/129/2018. He is asking for N1 billion as damages for infringing on his fundamental human rights.
Those joined as respondents to the suit are the Nigeria Police Force, the IGP, the Force Public Relations Officer, Mr. Moshood Jimoh, the Nigerian Television Authority and the Channels Televisions Limited, Punch reports.
Afegbua argued through his lawyer, Dr. Kayode Ajulo, that he had not been formally invited by the Police before he was declared wanted and painting him as a fugitive and common criminal with no modicum of dignity.
He described his being declared wanted as a “witch-hunt, harassment, intimidation and persecution,” as his boss had not denied the statement he issued on his behalf.
According to the applicant, the Police, the IGP and the Force PRO used the platforms of NTA and Channels Television to declare him wanted.
He maintained that declaring him wanted was baseless, as he had never been formally invited by the Police or resisted an arrest by the Police before the declaration was made.