President Bola Tinubu, on Monday, urged  the Federal High Court in Abuja to dismiss a suit filed by a lawyer, Olukoya Ogungbeje, which seeks his removal from office over alleged incompetence in the handling August 1-10, 2024 nationwide #Hunger protests.

In a joint preliminary objection filed with the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), the President argued that the plaintiff, Ogungbeje, failed to present a valid cause of action.

The duo further contended that Ogungbeje lacked the legal standing to bring the suit.

In the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1334/2024 and filed on September 4, 2024, Ogungbeje sought six reliefs, including “an order compelling the National Assembly to initiate impeachment proceedings against President Tinubu over alleged violations of fundamental rights related to the #Hunger protests in August 2024.”

Ogungbeje claimed that President Tinubu’s actions during the protests — from August 1 to August 10, 2024 — amounted to gross misconduct that warrants impeachment.

He argued that Section 143 of the Nigerian Constitution empowers the National Assembly to begin such proceedings.

But countering the suit, Tinubu’s legal team maintained that Ogungbeje’s suit lacked merit and jurisdiction, urging the court to strike it out.

They argued that Ogungbeje had not shown how his fundamental rights were violated by the President’s actions, nor had he provided evidence of any illegalities in the management of the protests.

The case stemmed from protests held over Nigeria’s worsening hunger crisis, where demonstrators accused the government of neglecting the growing food insecurity issue.

President Tinubu’s administration, however, maintained that the protests were managed peacefully and within legal bounds, with the necessary security measures in place to protect demonstrators.

The AGF’s counter-affidavit argued that President Tinubu had consistently upheld democratic principles, including allowing peaceful protests, and has taken steps to ensure the protection of citizens’ rights.

According to the affidavit, there was no breach of the President’s oath of office, and the claim of impeachment is without foundation.

At the Monday hearing, Ogungbeje’s lawyer, Stanley Okonmah, requested an adjournment to properly address the defendants’ objections.

The request was granted by Justice James Omotosho, who scheduled the next hearing for March 4, 2025.