Medical doctors sue ex-lawmaker for rights violation

Northern City News learnt that the plaintiffs were seeking the enforcement of their fundamental rights following their alleged illegal arrest and detention at the instance of Kigbu. Also joined in the suits were Dotma/ZK Health Konsult Ltd, Musa Magaji, Mr Ovye and the Commissioner of Police, Bauchi State Command. Counsel for the plaintiffs, Affiz Adigun, explained that his clients were engaged on March 2, 2018 by Kigbu and his company to work on a World Bank project in Bauchi state for three years. He, however, said Kigbu refused to pay their salaries, allowances and other logistics. According to the lawyer, Kigbu’s company secured $7m (over N2.5bn) World Bank contract using the plaintiffs’ certificates as required by the World Bank. He said instead of paying them for the period they worked, Kigbu accused them of stealing furniture that were not provided in the office. Adigun said the plaintiffs were eventually arrested in Lafia, Nasarawa State on July 6, and detained for four days at the Bauchi State Police Command where they were compelled to write an undertaking to pay the sum of N450,000 to Kigbu. They, therefore, prayed the court to award them N50m damages for their illegal arrest, unlawful detention and abuse of fundamental rights. The plaintiffs also asked the court to declare null and void the undertaking to pay N450,000 to Kigbu as well as restrain the police from further arresting and detaining them illegally. Justice Simon Aboki, a vacation judge, adjourned the matter till September 6, for hearing to enable all the respondents to be properly served.]]>