By: Agency Report

Hon. Ogidi Ben Bara, the Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of TrackNews Nigeria, has filed a Fundamental Rights suit against the Department of State Services (DSS) and one Engr. Simbi Kesiye Wabote at the Bayelsa State High Court sitting in Yenagoa, the state capital with SUIT NO:YHC/119M/2022.

Hon. Ben said that he is demanding a sum of one hundred million naira (#100,000,000m) from both parties having cost him general damages after they unlawfully arrested and detained him for the constitutional 24 or 48 hours and eventually kept him in detention for 10 days before charging him to Court on a two count frivolous charge.

According to a statement signed by Mr. Mohammed Oluwatimileyin Taoheed, the Spokesperson to the Publisher, Hon. Ben asserted: “I filed this suit before the High court to enforce my fundamental human rights as stipulated in Section 35 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and I’m of the opinion that the court will see to the application using the right lens as expected in every democratic country like ours. I condemn in strong terms the actions of the Department of State Services (DSS). I must describe it as unbecoming. I urge the court to grant all the reliefs against the DSS and Engr. Wabote…”

As exclusively obtained, part of the prayer submitted to the court reads: “An order restraining the Respondents from further arresting, harassing, intimidating or threatening the Applicant in connection with the fact and subject matter of this case…”

Hon. Ben maintained that he asked the court that the respondents should also tender an unreserved apology and should be publish in two national dailies over the infringement and infraction of his right to personal liberty.