A former Chairman of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Enugu State Chapter, Comrade Ernest Ike Ugwu, Saturday, decried his continued intimidation by the operatives of the Nigeria Police despite existing court injunctions restraining the police from harassing him pertaining to transmission of power of the body to a new executive.
His Lordship Hon Justice R. O. Odugu of the Enugu State High Court had sequel to an ex parte motion filed by Comrade Ugwu, through his counsel, Emeka Abah, ordered that, “The respondents are hereby ordered to stay further and all actions connected with the subject matter relating to the complaints of the applicants pending the determination of the Originating Motion on Notice already filed in this suit.”
Among the respondents are the Inspector General of Police, the AIG Force CID Annex, Enugu State; and the Commissioner of Police, Enugu State.
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Our correspondent reports that what led to Comrade Ugwu’s alleged intimidation followed the declaration of the first election of NAPSS as null and void by the Board of Trustees of the private school owners for failure to comply with the constitution of the body. The election was to elect officials to succeed the Ugwu-led Executive following the expiration of their tenure.
A source, who does not want to be mentioned, told our reporter that, “The Board of Trustees of the body declared that the purported election would not hold water. Another election was re-conducted, and those that won the nullified one did not participate. Comrade Ugwu, because his tenure had elapsed, handed over powers to the BoT which was in order. The BoT are the owners of the association. The faction that won the first election is now chasing Comrade Ugwu around, to hand over to them. They are using the police.”
It was further gathered that Ugwu’s troubles began when the winners of the first election reported him to police for failing to hand over to them. Ugwu, through his counsel, Emeka Abah, in an ex parte motion dated 18th December, 2023, therefore, sought the enforcement of his fundamental human rights to life, right to the dignity of human person, personal liberty and freedom of movement under sections 35 (1) and (4) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which was granted.
His Worship F.E. Chukwu of the East Magisterial District, Nkwo Nike, had earlier granted the ex parte motion brought by the ex-NAPPS state Chairman, Comrade Ùgwù, restraining the conduct of NAPPS election for not following the constitution of the body.
In a motion, with suit number CMN/187/2023, by Nelson Attamah, Esq., with the brief of Emeka Abah, Esq., for the plaintiff, the court granted Ugwu’s request for an order for an interim injunction restraining the conduct of the election.
The court granted, among others, an order of interim injunction restraining person(s) not elected in accordance with the provisions of the 2017 Constitution from parading themselves as the National and State EXCOS of NAPPS pending the determination of the motion on notice already filed.
“An order of interim injunction restraining the defendants, their agents, cronies, and however called from further conducting elections at the wards, local governments or state in the name of the NAPPS pending the determination of Motion on Notice already filed.”
Among the defendants are the purported winners of the annulled election, Rev Mrs Yvonne Jedidiah, who is first respondent, and the National Electoral Committee constituted by NAPPS national body to conduct the election.
Comrade Ugwu claimed that despite the injunctions, police had continued to intimidate him. He urged the operatives “to abide by the court order and allow the rule of law to prevail”.