Th AGF had, in the ex-parte application marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/41/2025, prayed the court for four orders which were granted by the court.
A Federal High Court in Abuja, on Thursday, issued an order proscribing the Lakurawa sect and similar groups throughout Nigeria, particularly in the North West and North Central regions.
Justice James Omotosho, in a ruling on the ex-parte originating summons submitted by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, also designated the group as a terrorist organization, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.
The judge declared: “It is hereby ordered as follows:
“That an order is hereby made declaring the activities of the Lakurawa sect and other similar groups in any part of Nigeria, especially in the North West and North Central regions of Nigeria as acts of terrorism and illegality.
“That an order is hereby made proscribing the existence of the Lakurawa and other similar groups in any part of Nigeria, especially in the North West and North Central regions of Nigeria either in groups or as individuals by whatsoever names they are called and publishing same in the Official Gazette and two (2) National Dailies.
“That an order is hereby made proscribing any person or group of persons from participating in any manner whatsoever in any form of activities evolving or concerning the prosecution of the collective intention or otherwise of the Lakurawa under any other name or platform however called or described.
“That an order is hereby made proscribing all other groups in Nigeria by whatever name called with similar objectives as the Lakurawa which include but not limited to banditry, kidnapping for ransom, kidnapping for marriage, mass abduction of school children and other citizens, cattle rustling, enslavement, imprisonment, severe deprivation of physical liberty, torture, rape, sexual slavery, enforced prostitution, forced pregnancy, other forms of sexual violence, attacks and killings in communities, commuters and wanton destruction of lives and properties in Nigeria.”
Th AGF had, in the ex-parte application marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/41/2025, prayed the court for four orders which were granted by the court.
An Assistant Director in the Federal Ministry of Justice, David Kaswe, moved the motion dated January 13 and filed January 14 by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation, PPF, M.B. Abubakar.
In an affidavit supporting the originating summons, deposed by Michael Akawu, a litigation officer in the Department of Public Prosecutions of the Federation (PPF), he stated that he had the consent of the PPF director to make the declarations.
Mr. Akawu affirmed that the Lakurawa sect or group had engaged in acts of terrorism within Nigeria, including cattle rustling, kidnapping for ransom, hostage-taking, attacks on high-ranking government officials and security personnel, spreading their ideology to local communities, and encouraging locals to defy established authorities.
“That these acts have caused harm, injuries and loss of lives and properties to innocent citizens of Nigeria.
“That the activities of the Lakurawa sect/group pose a significant threat to national security, public peace and order in Nigeria,” he said.
He said he had reasonable grounds to believe that the Lakurawa sect/group met the criteria for proscription as a terrorist group under the Terrorism (Prevent and Prohibition) Act.
Mr Akawu said it would be in the overall interest of justice, peace and security of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to proscribe the Lakurawa sect/group.
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