A Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the Nigerian Army and its Chief of Army Staff (COAS) to suspend the ongoing Operation Positive Identification.
Justice Rilwanu Aikawa ordered both parties to maintain status quo ante pending the determination of a suit filed by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Mr Femi Falana.
Mr Falana, a rights activist, filed the suit marked FHC/L/CS/1939/2019 on October 25.
He is seeking, among others, an order stopping the operation.
The COAS, the Army and the Attorney-General of the Federation are first to third respondents in the suit.
When the matter came up today (November 5, 2019), none of the respondents was in court.
Falana informed the judge that the respondents had been served the processes and the proof of service was in the court’s file. This was confirmed by the court.
But a Principal State Counsel from the Ministry of Justice prayed the judge to grant an adjournment to enable the Solicitor-General, Mr Dayo Apata, handle the matter personally and also give the respondents time to harmonise their positions.
Mr Falana did not oppose him.
Justice Aikawa granted his application.
“In view of the agreement between counsel, I hereby order the first and second defendants to maintain the status quo, pending the determination of the case,” the judge added.
He adjourned further proceedings till November 18.
