Court Rules Appointment of Makama as DG of Special Task Force on Illegal Smuggling of Firearms to Kogi State Illegal and a Security Threat
—Reported and compiled by M. Ahmad.
ABUJA, October 5, 2023 – In a significant legal development, the Federal High Court of Nigeria, Abuja Judicial Division, presided over by His Lordship Hon. Justice J.K. Omotosho, handed down a meaningful judgment on Thursday, the 5th day of October 2023, in the case bearing Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/697/2023. The case, involving Hon. Ahmadu Danjuma as the plaintiff, had the Federal High Court of Abuja and several high-ranking officials as defendants, including the Executive Governor of Kogi State and the Director Generals of the State Security Service and the National Intelligence Agency, among others.
Court Delivers Landmark Verdict
The judgment, a certified true copy of which was issued by the court, addressed several pivotal issues related to the regulation and control of firearms in Kogi State. The court found that the Executive Governor of Kogi State did not possess the authority to unilaterally regulate or control the possession and trade of firearms within the state. Instead, it was ruled that the proper agencies responsible for regulating guns in Kogi State and Nigeria are the Director General of the State Security Service, the Director General of the National Intelligence Agency, and the Inspector General of Police, under the guidance of the National Security Adviser.
Illegality of Director General’s Appointment
Furthermore, the court declared the appointment of Hon Friday Sani Makama as Director General of the Special Task Force on Illegal Smuggling of Firearms to Kogi State, which was made by the Executive Governor, to be illegal and null and void. This appointment was deemed not only unlawful but also a potential threat to the safety and security of Kogi State.
Orders Issued
In light of the judgment, the Federal High Court issued the following orders:
1. The Executive Governor of Kogi State cannot regulate the possession and trade of firearms within the state.
2. The State Security Service, National Intelligence Agency, and the Police are the authorized agencies to oversee the possession and trade of firearms in Kogi State and Nigeria.
3. The appointment of Mr. Friday Sani Makama as Director General of the Special Task Force on Illegal Smuggling of Firearms to Kogi State is set aside.
4. An order is issued for the investigation and retrieval of all firearms in Mr. Friday Sani Makama’s possession or in the control of the Special Task Force.
5. A perpetual injunction is imposed, restraining the Executive Governor of Kogi State Yahaya Bello from attempting to regulate the possession and trade of firearms in the state.
The judgment, seen as a milestone in the ongoing debate surrounding firearm control and regulation in Nigeria, carries far-reaching implications for the authority and responsibilities of various agencies and officials. The legal community and the public will be closely monitoring the aftermath of this historic ruling.