A human rights lawyer, Malcolm Omirhobo has dragged President Muhammadu Buhari and the Inspector General of Police (IGP) , Alkali Baba Usman before a Federal High Court in Abuja over their refusal to grant him a license to possess assault rifles for self-defense.
He predicated his request to possess an assault rife on claims that the Federal Government has failed to uphold its constitutional obligation of protecting the life of its citizens.
Mr. Omirhobo is requesting the court to interprete relevant sections of the Firearms Act, Criminal Code Act, and other relevant laws as to whether it is lawful, legal, and constitutional for the President to refuse to grant him a license to possess an assault rifle for protection of his life and that of his family.
The plaintiff filed the suit on behalf of himself and the Nigerian public.
Other defendants in the suit are the Minister of Defence, the Attorney General of the Federation, the 36 states, and their Attorneys-General.
At Thursday’s proceedings, only Lagos, Ebonyi, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, and Edo were represented in court while others sought adjournment in the hearing of the suit.
Justice Ahmed Ramat Mohammed however, fixed 24th January 2023, for a hearing.
The Judge also ordered that the processes, including hearing notice, be served on the respondents that have not been served.
Although some states in the United States allow their citizens to possess registered firearms, these firearms are not assault rifles which is regulated by the gun control Act.
These acts also prohibit the sale of guns to felons and other prohibited persons
Nigeria as a country is yet to make, implement or adopt any of these laws.
