Child trafficking allegation: Court stops NAPTIP, AGF from summoning Fani-Kayode

Chigozie Ikpo, Abuja

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Tuesday, stopped the the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons and other related offences (NAPTIP) from summoning former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode for questioning over alleged child trafficking.

The restraining order was also extended to the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) not to approve summons from the Agency already issued to Fani-Kayode for interrogation over petitions against from his estranged wife.

Justice Inyang Ekwo expressed his displeasure over a move by NAPTIP, inviting the ex-Aviation minister in two separate letters, while there is a pending suit on the same matter before the court.

Justice Ekwo noted  that such moves undermines the intervention of the Court on the matter saying that no efforts should be made to give effect to the summons issued to Fani-Kayode.

Counsel to the former Minister, Adeola Adedipe lamented that his client was still being summoned by NAPTIP and AGF despite the fact that there was a pending suit at the Federal High Court, by his client against them, challenging their powers to summon him.

He stated that the parties have  submitted themselves for adjudication already, which means that the letters summoning his client were unnecessary as it will mean one party trying to over-reach another.

Nancy Ukenna who stood as Counsel to NAPTIP, admitted that there was a pending suit on the matter, but that there was no express order, that bars her client from doing what they did.

In a brief ruling, Justice Ekwo ordered NAPTIP and AGF to desist from talking any step that undermines pendency of a suit in a Law Court, as it is a Clear negligence on their part.

He adjourned the matter to October 4 as the court was meant to go on their yearly vacation by next month, which will run until September.

The former Minister had in a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/327/2022 sought order of the court for judicial review of certain provisions of the law as they relate to his relationship with his estranged wife.

He wants the court after reviewing the law to declare that NAPTIP has no power under law to summon him for interrogation in a matter of his family affairs.

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons and other related offences NAPTIP and the Attorney General of the Federation AGF and Minister of Justice are the 1st and 2nd defendants respectfully in the matter.