Posted by By OLA AGBAJE on
The Federal Government has initiated court process to stop former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar from testifying in court in the United States, over the circumstances that surrounded the death of Chief M.K.O Abiola in detention in July 1998.
The Federal Government has initiated court process to stop former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar from testifying in court in the United States, over the circumstances that surrounded the death of Chief M.K.O Abiola in detention in July 1998.
Abdulsalami has been summoned to appear in a District Court for the Northern District of Illinois in a suit filed by the late politician's daughter, Hafsat Abiola against the former head of State.
Apparently jolted by the development, the government, though not a party to the suit in the US, brought an action before a Federal High Court, Abuja to stave off pressure on Abubakar on the ground that the issue involved in the matter before the American Court falls under the purview of Official Act which the former Head of State was forbidden to divulge.
Joined as Co-defendant, respondents along with Abdulsalami are the three solicitors to the plaintiff in the foreign suit, Kayode Oladele, Augustine Agomuoh and Akinwo Ogunmola. The contention of the government was that the issue raised in the suit before the American Court bothers on the Security and Sovereignty of Nigeria as a nation.
Consequently, the plaintiff wants the court to determine whether Abdulsalami is not barred by the provision of official secrets Act Cap 335 LFN 1990, from transmitting or disclosing details of his involvement in the activities of the then Provisional Ruling Council (PRC) of Armed Forces Ruling Council (AFRC).
Also, the Plaintiff wants the court to determine whether the information relating to the meetings of the PRC between 1992 and May 29, 1999 does not qualify as 'classified matter" with the contemplation of section 9 (1) of the Official Secrets Act Cap 335 LFN 1990.
In addition, the Plaintiff is praying the court that Abdulsalami is bound not to divulge any information pertaining to his involvement in the activities of PRC or AFRC during the period under reference.