BY ANTHONY OCHELA, ABUJA
The lawyer for three whistleblowers, Bar. Moses Ofeoshi, has dragged the Nigerian Police Force before the Federal High Court Abuja presided over by Justice M. S. Liman over allegations of harassment and intimidation for their alleged exposure of corrupt practices within a prominent organization.
Ofeoshi, is the counsel for Kingsley Agah Tordue, Dr. Paul Adama, and Dr. Abayomi Ojekunle who have instituted a suit against the Nigeria Police Force, the Inspector General of Police and two others.
Joined in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1772/2024 are the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) A.A. Elleman of the IGP Monitoring Unit, and Superintendent Onwuka Chinedu, as Respondents.
When the suit came up at the court, it was adjourned to a later date due to Justice Liman being away on a seminar organised for Judges.
Addressing the media after the suit was adjourned, the lawyer, said his clients, who are whistleblowers, instituted the suit seeking the enforcement of their fundamental human rights which are guaranteed by the nation’s laws.
In their lawsuit, the applicants cite violations of their rights under the 1999 Constitution, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Ofeoshi’s clients claims they are facing persecution for exposing alleged corrupt practices within the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA), an organization funded by Nigerian companies to promote youth employment and workforce development.
The lawyer alleged that his clients are facing intimidation and harassment by the police for reporting financial mismanagement, and that actions such as these undermine the fight against corruption instead of addressing the irregularities.
He insisted this development also highlights growing concerns over whistleblower safety in Nigeria.
Bar. Ofeoshi alleged that instead of the police to investigate the allegations made by clients in the course of justice, the police turned on the whistleblowers, treating them as criminals.
The applicants argue that their rights to personal liberty, human dignity, and property ownership have been violated.
They also claim that employees cooperating with the investigation are facing disciplinary threats, including possible job losses.
Their legal team is urging the court to enforce their right to liberty and protect them from further harassment and retaliation.
