… Makama’s Appointment Threat To Safety and Security of Kogi State
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has declared as illegal, null and void the setting up of the Special Task Force on Illegal Smuggling of Firearms by Governor Yahaya Bello.
Justice J.K Omotosho who handed down the ruling, emphatically said Bello has no powers to unilaterally regulate or control the possession or dealing in firearms in Kogi State or any part thereof.
The State Security Service, Inspector General of Police and National Security Adviser, the court ruled, are the proper agencies to regulate the possession of or dealing in firearms and ammunition in Kogi State and Nigeria.
The appointment of Friday Sani Makama as the Director General for the purpose of superintending firearms was not only illegal by constitutes threat to the safety and security of Kogi State, the court rules.
Friday Makama
The court directs the DG State Security Service, the IG of Police and National Security Adviser to interrogate and investigate Makama and persons working under him with a view to repossessing, retrieving and receiving all firearms currently in his possession.
Gov. Bello and Makama at an event.
It could be recalled that on 9th May, 2023, the Governor of Kogi State constituted a special Task Force on Gun Control and appointed Friday Sani Makama to head the outfit with other Members.
Hon. Ahmadu Danjuma a Party Chieftain of the Social Democratic Party, through his Counsel, P.U Ogbadu Esq. approached the Federal High Court on 18th May, 2023 in Suit FHC/ABJ/CS/697/2023 – Hon Danjuma Ahmadu v. Gov of Kogi State, Friday Sani Makama and Others to determine whether a State Governor has constitutional powers to constitute such a task force and make such appointments when arms control is on the Exclusive Legislative List of the Constitution and within the exclusive powers of the Federal Government.
The Applicant contended in his case that Makama and other appointees have, in furtherance of their appointment, acted as guns-for-hire and political thugs instituted with the sole aim of unleashing terror as a tool of political intimidation against political opponents in Kogi’s Governorship Election scheduled for November 11th, 2023.