A Federal High Court in Abuja has summoned Governor Darius Ishaku of Taraba State, the nation’s four service chiefs, and heads of other security agencies over allegations of bias against the governor in the handling of the violent clashes between the Jukun and Tiv tribes in the state.
Justice Ahmed Mohammed on Wednesday directed members of the panel and other respondents to appear in court on August 26 to show cause why the Commission of Inquiry set up by the governor should not be restrained from further sitting.
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The suit was brought by an organisation of Tiv tribesmen, Mdzough U Tiv, its President-General, Ihigagh Iorbee, who is a retired Commissioner of Police, and four others representing the Tiv people in the state.
The respondents joined in the suit and summoned by the court on Wednesday included Governor Ishaku, the Taraba State Government, and the Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice of the state.
Also summoned were the 5th to the 12th respondents, comprising the Chairman of the commission of inquiry, Justice Kumai Aka’ahs, who is a retired Justice of the Supreme Court and the seven other members.
The rest, who were sued as the 13th to the 19th respondents, and also summoned by the court, were the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Air Staff, Chief of Naval Staff, the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the Department of State Service, and the Commandant, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
The judge further ordered the service of the main processes of the court on all parties in the matter.
