An Ekiti State High Court in Ado-Ekiti has approved substituted service in a N70 million fundamental rights enforcement suit filed against the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps and others.
The claimant, a former Accord Party State Chairman, Chief Abiola Odeoba, is challenging his alleged unlawful arrest and detention linked to a business deal with a Taraba-based trader, Alhaji Umaru Haruna.
Justice Lekan Ogunmoye granted the application after the claimant reported difficulties in serving court processes on Haruna, who was said to be unreachable.
The suit, marked HAD/06EFRN/2024 and filed on March 25, 2024, centres on Odeoba’s alleged arrest and detention by NSCDC ZZoperatives.
Other defendants in the case include the NSCDC, its commandant general, the Ekiti State Commandant, CSC Bala Mohammed, and the head of the corps’ counterterrorism unit.
Counsel to the claimant, A.O. Akinwande, had urged the court to permit substituted service through newspaper publication, citing constitutional provisions.
Counsel to the claimant, A.O. Akinwande, had urged the court to permit substituted service through newspaper publication, citing constitutional provisions.
Ruling on the motion, Ogunmoye held that granting the request would aid speedy justice, noting that, “The application has merit and is hereby granted.”
He further directed that the processes be served on the fifth defendant through a national newspaper and ordered all parties to appear at the next hearing fixed for May 7, 2026.
