Adamu Garba, a former presidential aspirant in Nigeria, has withdrawn a $1bn lawsuit he slammed against the Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Twitter International Company, Jack Dorsey.
Garba had, in October, instituted the lawsuit against Twitter and its founder, Jack Dorsey, at the Federal High Court in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital over his role in the #EndSARS protests led to violence across the country, resulting in the destruction of properties and loss of lives.
However, in a Twitter post on Monday, 11 January 2021, Garba announced he has withdrawn the lawsuit. He also apologised to all offended by his actions during the #EndSARS protests.
He wrote, “I think the action has served its purpose. I’ve written to our lawyers to withdraw the case from court. I also tendered my sincere apologies to Nigerians who are pained by my #EndSARS actions. Nigeria shall rise.”
Garba, a businessman, had, on October 20, through his lawyer, Abbas Ajiya, filed the suit, praying the court to direct Dorsey to stop the operation of Twitter International Company in any part of Nigeria.
The motion on notice was brought pursuant to order II Rules 1, 2, 3 of the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules, 2009 and Sections 34(1), 35(1) and 41(1), and 43 of the 1999 Constitution and Articles 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 12(1) of the African Charter on Human and People’s’ Rights Act CAP. A9, LFN 2004.
Also joined as respondents are Attorney-General of the Federation, National Security Adviser, Inspector-General of Police, Director General of Department of State Service, the Commandant General, Nigeria Security, and Civil Defense Corps; Nigeria Communication Commission, Twitter International Company, and the #ENDSARS Protesters.
Garba in his tweet announcing the lawsuit said, “Here’s your motion of notice, a fine of $1 billion in favor of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as compensation for lost lives, properties and convenience, as a result of your active support for funding of #EndSARS protests after the issues is been attended to by the Government.
“Under a clear mark of gross abuse of privilege, you used your platform to instigate a protest that has now turned into the breakdown of law and order in Nigeria. You should publish a public apology to the Nigerian government and people for violating our sovereignty to peace and security.
“You have violated the international principles of nationhood and democracy by meddling into our local affairs, knowing fully well that these are capable of toppling the democratically elected government of the day and slowing us down from progress on our hard-earned democracy journey. I trust that the Federal High Court of Nigeria will serve you the motion accordingly.”
The matter, which came up on November 25 before Justice Giwa-Ogunbanjo, was adjourned until April 22, 2021, for the continuation of hearing.
