The Nigeria Police Force and the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, have been sued by Prof. Zainab Abiola, the late Chief MKO Abiola’s widow, for allegedly defaming her husband, who won the June 12, 1993 presidential election.

Ibrahim, the IGP’s son, and Teju Moses, a former police orderly, have both joined the lawsuit.

Tawo Tawo (SAN), Abiola’s attorney, filed the lawsuit with reference number FHA/ABJ/CS/2370/202 in which Abiola accuses the police of infringing on her basic rights to life and dignity.

In her statement of claim obtained by journalists on Sunday, the plaintiff averred that she was framed on September 20, 2022, by one Ibrahim Alkali, the adopted son of the IGP, and that she inflicted injury on her former orderly, Inspector Moses, a development she said has caused damage to her name and reputation.

“He (Ibrahim Alkali) conspired with my ex-orderly to lie that I inflicted bodily harm on her. We have CCTV cameras around that will reveal what happened when the proceedings commenced,” she said.

Abiola’s widow further said since she was humiliated, dragged to court, and condemned by the court of public opinion, her personality and image had been irredeemably battered by the defamation, and assassination of character, thereby diminishing her status in society.

“The aforementioned incident has caused me so much damage, trauma, and ill-health, and has reduced my standing and recognition in a global society, despite the fact that I have attained an international reputation,” she said.

Meanwhile, Abiola, in the writ of summons, prayed the court for a declaration that the act of the police against her and other plaintiffs caused her a series of nightmares, as she is in constant fear for her life.

The plaintiff, therefore, asked the court to order the defendants to pay her N100bn as damages for defamation, shame, ridicule, harassment, trauma, humiliation, and public embarrassment meted out to her by the police.

The hearing date for the suit has been fixed for February 28.