The lingering leadership crisis in the *Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, CDHR*, has escalated into a major legal battle as the Leadership of *Comrade (Dr) Kehinde Prince Taiga* has dragged prominent human rights lawyer, *Barrister Femi Falana, SAN,* and several others before the *Federal High Court, Warri Judicial Division.*
Also joined as a defendant is the *Corporate Affairs Commission, CAC,* with Taiga accusing the commission of alleged irregularities in the registration of changes affecting the organisation, including alleged changes to its Board of Trustees without due process.
In a suit filed at the Federal High Court, Taiga and four other claimants are asking the court to determine the authentic leadership of CDHR, affirm his election as National President at the organisation’s National Convention of October 16, 2021, and protect the assets, bank accounts, official records and other properties of the organisation.
The suit has further raised fresh questions over the prolonged divisions within the human rights body, with Taiga alleging that rival factions were created at different times by individuals who had occupied leadership positions within the organisation.
*‘Femi Falana created three factions’ — Taiga*
Taiga, in his account of the crisis, alleged that Falana, whom he described as a former President and former Board of Trustees member of CDHR, played a significant role in the emergence of rival factions within the organisation.
He revealed that the first faction created by Falana was that of the former President, Dr Osagie Obayuwanna , who was suspended following allegations of misconduct, unconstitutional act and Misappropriation of the organization’s fund.
According to him, Falana initially supported a faction involving Debo Adeniran, but allegedly turned to another faction when the first arrangement was no longer favourable to him.
Taiga further alleged that Comrade Yinka Folarin, initially associated with the first faction as its factional Vice President, subsequently became a factional President.
He claimed that, under Falana’s leadership as Chairman of the Board of Trustees, three factions eventually emerged within CDHR.
The allegations are part of Taiga’s account of the dispute and remain contested matters that are now before the court.
*CAC faces allegations over registration*
The Taiga-led group also levelled allegations against the Corporate Affairs Commission, accusing it of allegedly effecting changes in CDHR’s corporate records and Board of Trustees without following due process.
The claimants have consequently made the CAC a defendant in the suit, seeking judicial determination of issues surrounding the organisation’s statutory records, certificates of incorporation and other corporate documentation.
The court is also being asked to determine the legality of actions allegedly taken by some individuals in relation to CDHR’s leadership, administration and governance.
*Battle over CDHR assets, accounts*
Beyond the leadership question, the suit has widened the dispute to include control of the organisation’s assets, bank accounts, National Secretariat, financial records, official documents and statutory records.
The claimants are asking the court to restrain persons they regard as unauthorised from interfering with CDHR’s affairs and properties.
*They are also seeking other reliefs that the court may consider appropriate.*
At the heart of the case is Taiga’s insistence that *his election at the October 16, 2021 National Convention* remains the legitimate mandate upon which the organisation’s leadership should be constituted.
*Who Taiga says are authentic CDHR executives*
The Taiga-led leadership has listed its National Executive Committee as comprising:
Dr. Prince Kehinde Taiga — National President;
James Chibuzo Chikwendu — National Vice President;
Gerald O. Katchy — National General Secretary;
Jude Adimekwe — Assistant General Secretary;
Michael Roy Olokungboye — National Treasurer;
Barr. Ibijoke Fajugba — National Legal Adviser;
Godspower Ugah — National Publicity Secretary; and
Ifechiga Queen Chinaza — National Auditor.
The group maintains that the officers constitute the authentic National Executive Committee of CDHR in accordance with the organisation’s constitution and the mandate allegedly received at the 2021 National Convention.
*‘We want constitutional governance’*
Explaining the decision to seek judicial intervention, the Taiga-led leadership said the action was necessary to protect the constitution, integrity and assets of CDHR and restore accountability and transparency in the organisation.
It expressed confidence in the independence of the Federal High Court and said it was prepared to allow the judicial process to determine the competing claims.
The leadership also urged all parties to avoid statements or actions capable of prejudicing the proceedings.
*Taiga leadership issues warning*
In a significant call contained in its press release, the Taiga-led leadership urged security agencies, government institutions, CAC, development partners, civil society organisations, the media and members of the public not to recognise or transact with the defendants as National Executives, State Branch Executives or authorised representatives of CDHR pending the determination of the case.
It further directed that official communications and engagements concerning the affairs of CDHR should, pending the court’s decision, be conducted through the National Executive Committee led by Taiga.
The leadership appealed to CDHR members nationwide to remain calm, united and law-abiding, stressing that the organisation remained committed to human rights, constitutional democracy, justice and the rule of law.
*Legal battle shifts CDHR crisis to courtroom*
The latest development marks a major escalation in the long-running struggle over the leadership and administration of CDHR.
With the matter now before the Federal High Court, questions over who legitimately controls the organisation, its statutory records and its assets will ultimately be subjected to judicial scrutiny.
For the Taiga-led Executives, the case represents a bid to secure judicial affirmation of its claim to the CDHR leadership and prevent what it describes as further interference in the organisation’s affairs.
For the defendants, including Femi Falana SAN and the CAC, the proceedings provide an opportunity to respond to the allegations and present their own positions before the court.
The battle for the soul, structure and leadership of CDHR has therefore entered a new phase, this time, before the law.
End