A civil society organisation, the Incorporated Trustees of Global Integrity Crusade Network, GICN, has cried out over several adjournments in the alleged murder case it filed against the Inspector-General of Police and one Asabe Waziri.
GICN, which is the plaintiff in the matter, has accused the defendants, the Nigeria Police and Waziri, of delaying the matter.
Highlighting delays in the matter, which it said has denied justice to the victim’s family, the civic organization alleged that the police has only filed conditional appearance in the case, about two years since it was instituted
It noted that the case, filed on the 18th May, 2024, was assigned to Justice Gladys Olotu but has had about five adjournments.
GICN had filed the suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja against the Inspector General of Police, IGP, over failure to release the probe report of an alleged “unresolved murder” case involving Waziri, a staff of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL.
In the suit marked FHC/ABM/CS/742/2024, GICN asked the court to make an order granting it leave to apply for judicial review by way of order of mandamus compelling the police to forthwith release to it, based on a demand letter dated 2nd May, 2024, the final investigation report of the case involving Waziri, who allegedly hit a pregnant woman, Mrs Shitua Aso, with her car in front of the FCT Police Command, Garki 2, Abuja, on or about 30th May, 2010.
The plaintiff sought a declaration that the failure, refusal and or neglect by the police to release the information and documents requested vide a letter dated 27 May, 2024, amounts to a violation of sections 4 and 5 of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011 and therefore unjustifiable, wrongful and illegal.
In a letter addressed to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, dated January 20, 2026 and signed by Peter Chidiebere Nworie, GICN expressed concern over delays in the case and therefore called on the Chief Judge to re-assign the case to another judge.
Parts of the letter read, “We write as Legal Practitioners to The Incorporated Trustees of Global Integrity Crusade Network (GICN), hereinafter referred to as our Client, in respect of the above-mentioned suit. The suit is presently pending before the Federal High Court 2, presided over by Hon. Justice G.K. Olotu.
“From the records, the suit is a simple application for Judicial Review by way of Mandamus, filed on 18th May, 2024, seeking the release of a certain final investigation report of the 1st Respondent.
“As it stands, the suit has remained pending for an inordinately long period through no fault of the Applicant. Despite the Applicant’s consistent diligence, the matter has suffered unnecessary adjournments, largely attributable to the actions of the Respondents.
“It is pertinent to note that Mrs Asabe Waziri sought and was joined as 2nd Respondent to the suit, notwithstanding that the reliefs sought do not lie against her but are strictly directed at the statutory duty of the 1st Respondent.
“As if that was not enough, the 1st Respondent only filed a Conditional Memorandum of Appearance on 3! October, 2025 and failed to further engage with the proceedings or file and serve substantive processes.
“On 12 January, 2026 the matter came up with the Applicant represented whilst the Respondents never showed up. It happened that His Lordship did not sit on the said date because the court room was being renovated and the matter stands adjourned to 23rd March 2026 for hearing.
“In the circumstances and without any imputation against the integrity of the Presiding Judge, our Client respectfully urges Your Lordship to exercise the inherent administrative powers of your exalted office to order the transfer and or reassignment of this suit to another Honourable Judge of the Federal High Court. This will give room for expeditious hearing and determination of the suit in the overriding – interest of justice.”
