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Suit Against Proliferation Of Roadblocks In South-East Suffers Setback

Published

2 years ago

January 21, 2024

A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has dismissed a suit filed by former Chairman of Nigerian Bar Association, Section on Public Interest and Development Law, NBA-SPIDEL, Dr Monday Ubani seeking to stop the army, police and other security agencies from proliferating the Lagos- Southeast routes with roadblocks.

Ubani had dragged the Attorney-General of the Federation, Inspector-General of Police, Comptroller General of Customs, Chief of Defence Staff, Corp Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corp before the court seeking a declaration that the proliferation of intra-state and highways with road blocks mounted by their officers particularly enroute Lagos to South-eastern part of Nigeria which result in obstruction of free movement in the highway and loss of travel time is a violation of his right to free and undisrupted movement as guaranteed by section 41 of the 1999 Constitution and other enabling laws.

Also joined in the suit as co-respondents are; the Police Force, Nigeria Customs Service Board, Nigerian Army and Federal Road Safety Commission.

Other prayers by Ubani include a declaration that the proliferation of intra-state and highway roadblocks particularly enroute Lagos to South Eastern part of Nigeria, obstructs free flow of traffic, constitute nuisance, causes untold hardship and unwarranted suffering to him and other road users and therefore unlawful and without legal justification.

He also prayed for an order directing the respondents forthwith to dismantle all roadblocks on all intra-state roads and highways throughout the country and particularly along the South-East roads.

Ubani also sought an order of perpetual injunction restraining the respondents, their privies, agents and representatives from mounting intra-state and highway roadblocks on Lagos enroute South Eastern roads.

On his ground for seeking the injunctions, Ubani narrated an incident in 2021 when he travelled from Lagos to his home town in Abia state with his family by road and spent about 15 hours along the road due to over 120 roadblocks mounted by officers of the respondents who also subjected other roads users to untold hardship, extortion intimidation and harassments.

In their separate responses to the suit, the Police, Army, Customs and Road Safety Corp admitted mounting roadblocks along the Lagos to South-Eastern route but insisted that they were empowered by enabling laws to do so as part of their responsibilities to secure the country and check crime.

They also insisted that the right of freedom of movement as enshrined in the 1999 constitution is not absolute and maintained that the proliferation of roadblocks along the South-Eastern roads did not in any way infringe on the right of the applicant.

Delivering judgment in the suit, Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke held that from evidence before him, it was obvious that indeed there were proliferation of roadblocks along the Lagos-South Eastern road which made the applicant and other users to spend hours on the road.

The court further held that the right to free movement of the applicant was indeed derogated upon due to the powers of the constitution given to the President and the security agencies to map out security measures to secure the country.

However the court failed to address the issue raised by Ubani on why the security measures said to be securing the country are only meant for roads leading to the Eastern region and minimal on other routes in the country.

The judgment reads in part: “All the 2nd to 9th Respondents when they are on the Nigerian Roads, whether intrastate roads, interstate roads or Highways are there to prevent crime. They provide internal security which is the main function of the 3rd Respondent. They therefore perform police duties. In fact, the 4th and 5th Respondents were statutorily given the powers of the Police when carrying out their functions. These Police powers especially to stop, search, arrest and prosecute any person committing an offence was also given to the Respondent.

“There is no way the 9th Respondent can perform its duties without stopping and sometimes searching vehicles. I therefore hold that the road blocks mounted by the 2nd to 9th Respondents which clearly restrict the right to freedom of movement of the Applicant and other road users does not by that reason alone violate the Applicant’s fundamental rights.

“This does not mean that any illegal act committed by the 2nd to 9th Respondents while on the intra-state roads and highways, whether they mounted road blocks or not, cannot be investigated and prosecuted in the law courts according to the laws of Nigeria.

“It is for the reasons given above that I hereby dismiss the application for the enforcement of fundamental rights brought by the Applicant.”

Reacting to the judgement, Ubani said he would appeal the judgement or go back to the court with modification of his reliefs as he believes that the reason for the unnecessary proliferation of the road blocks on the Eastern route is not for security measures.

He maintained that it has become obvious by evidence on ground that that the proliferation of the road blocks is purely and simply for extortion and inconvenience purposes.

News

Three Nigerians Arrested For Fraud In Kenya

Published

1 hour ago

November 14, 2025

Editor

Exhibit

At least three Nigerians have been arrested in the Mwaliko Estate, Mwea Town, Kenya, on allegations of cyber fraud.

A report by Tuko News, a Kenyan digital news platform, revealed that the suspects were apprehended by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations on Wednesday.

The arrested individuals have been identified as Peter Chukwujekwu, Alazor Chukulute Sunday, and Nnalue Chiagozie Samwe.

According to the report on Thursday, the trio were flushed out of their apartment after members of the public raised concerns about suspicious late-night activities in the building.

The DCI confirmed the arrests, stating that they occurred during “a multi-agency raid targeting a cyber fraud ring” in the area.

The report quoted the DCI as saying: “Three Nigerian nationals nabbed in Kirinyaga multi-agency raid. A well-coordinated multi-agency raid in Mwaliko Estate within Mwea town has blown the lid off a suspected cyber fraud ring operated by three Nigerian nationals.”

The suspects, who claimed to be running an online business, were said to be living in Kenya illegally and lacked valid work permits.

This arrest is part of a broader trend of Nigerians being apprehended abroad for various criminal activities, including cyber fraud, drug trafficking, and human trafficking.

In June 2023, Kenyan police arrested 19 Nigerians in Nairobi for engaging in electronic fraud targeting Kenyans.

According to the DCI, the men, aged between 19 and 33, used social media to initiate their scam, swindling unsuspecting Kenyans under the guise of offering goods deliveries from abroad.

“The fraudsters start by befriending you on social media (Facebook), and once you accept the friend request, they initiate a friendly chat that promises the victim goodies to be sent through DHL at the airport,” the DCI explained.

News

Ronaldo Sent Off, Faces World Cup Suspension

Published

2 hours ago

November 14, 2025

Editor

Cristiano Ronaldo could miss at least the opening game of the 2026 World Cup after receiving a red card for violent conduct during Portugal’s 2-0 defeat to the Republic of Ireland on Thursday.

As reported by ESPN on Thursday, the Al Nassr forward was shown a yellow card initially in the 61st minute for elbowing Ireland defender Dara O’Shea.

Still, after a review via VAR, the referee upgraded the decision to a red card. It was Ronaldo’s first red card for Portugal in his 226th international appearance, setting a record in men’s football, though he has been sent off 13 times at club level.

Following FIFA disciplinary rules, Ronaldo faces a mandatory one-match ban in competitive fixtures.

The regulations state that violent conduct could result in a ban of “at least three matches or an appropriate period of time for assault, including elbowing.”

The ban would apply to competitive games and cannot be served in pre-tournament friendlies.

Portugal went into the game knowing a win would secure their place at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, but two goals from Troy Parrott stunned the visitors.

Despite the loss, Portugal still leads Hungary by two points in Group F, meaning a win against Armenia on Sunday will ensure Ronaldo reaches his sixth World Cup.

Before the game, Ronaldo acknowledged the challenge of playing at the Aviva Stadium, where he expected to face boos from Irish fans.

He said, “I really like the fans here. The support they give to the national team it’s lovely. For me, it’s a pleasure to come and play here again. Of course, it will be tough. I hope they don’t boo me too much tomorrow. I swear that I’m going to try to be a good boy.”

After being sent off, Ronaldo was seen reacting to the crowd’s jeers with a wry expression, clapping his hands and giving two thumbs up in a gesture interpreted as sarcastic.

Ronaldo’s red card came after previous controversies with Irish fans, including accusations in the reverse fixture of having undue influence over the match official when Rúben Neves scored a last-minute winner against Ireland.

News

VIDEO: I Handle Pressure With Calm, Focus, Says Osimhen

Published

2 hours ago

November 14, 2025

Editor

Nigeria’s star striker Victor Osimhen has shrugged off criticism over missed chances, saying, “Sometimes I score, sometimes I miss.”

The Super Eagles forward, who scored twice in the 4-1 win over Gabon, acknowledged the pressure of playing for his country and club, Al Nassr, but emphasised his ability to stay composed and correct mistakes.

In a video shared on Thursday on Instagram by sports journalist @iamcalisports, Osimhen explained that as a professional striker, he has learned to stay composed regardless of missed opportunities.

He said, “Sometimes I score the goal that no one believes and sometimes I lose the one that people think I’m going to score. But that doesn’t take away… I always have this mentality.”

Osimhen, who missed two clear chances in the second half, made up for it by scoring in extra time. He emphasised the importance of quickly correcting mistakes.

“At first, I told them I’m sorry, and I told them I’m going to correct it in extra time. And I’m happy I did it.”

Osimhen also praised his teammates’ support and the collective team spirit, saying, “Kudos to the guys who gave me the assist to score those two goals. I’m happy about the mentality of the team, all of us.”

He thanked fans for their encouragement, noting, “Thank you also to so many Super Eagles fans all over the world who have scored with us, who have gone through it all with us. This win is also for them.”

Looking ahead, Osimhen acknowledged that the next round will be challenging, but pledged, “The next round is not going to be easy either. We will give everything to make sure that we go to the final.”

Osimhen scored twice as the Super Eagles defeated the Panthers of Gabon 4-1 in extra time on Thursday at Stade Mohammed V, Rabat, Morocco. After a goalless first half, Akor Adams put Nigeria ahead, Gabon equalised late in the second half, and in extra time, Chidera Ejuke and Osimhen’s two goals sealed the victory.

Watch video here