N2 billion fundamental rights enforcement lawsuit brought by Mr. Lucky Okodeh, a former caretaker chairman of Bayelsa State’s Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, was postponed until November 28 by a Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday.

Following an oral request by Okodeh’s attorney, Asmau Yunusa, to allow her to reply to a counter-affidavit submitted by Mimi Ayua, attorney to the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, Justice Binta Nyako postponed the case.

Okodeh sued CDS Musa and Chief of Army Staff (CAS) Taoreed Lagbaja as first and second respondents in the complaint filed on May 3 by Mr. Femi Falana, SAN and marked FHC/ABJ/CS/590/2024.

The applicant claims that the defendants published his picture among people who are wanted in relation to the killing of 17 soldiers in Okuama in Delta.

As a result, he asked the court to grant N2 billion in damages to the respondents for allegedly violating his rights to dignity and personal liberty.

In addition, the applicant asked the court to reverse his declaration and grant the fine as restitution for losses incurred as a result of the Defense Headquarters Abuja’s action.

Yunusa, who represented the applicant at the reopened hearing on Thursday, informed the court that the case was scheduled for mention.

She stated that the first respondent (CDS) had sent her a counter-affidavit on Wednesday and that she would have little time to reply.

According to her, Lagbaja, the second respondent, was not represented in court.

However, Justice Nyako informed Yunusa and Mimi Ayua, the attorney for the CDS, that the matter is one that the parties can discuss and settle peacefully.

The case was then postponed until November 28 for more discussion by Justice Nyako.

She mandated that the hearing notice be sent to the second respondent.

Okodeh claimed in the affidavit supporting the lawsuit that the defendants’ actions had harmed his political career and forced him into hiding.

Recall that eight people were listed as sought by the Defense Headquarters Abuja after 17 Nigerian Army soldiers were killed by unidentified assailants in the Okuama town in Delta State on March 14.

Okodeh’s picture appeared on a name that wasn’t his, even though his name wasn’t on the wanted list.

Following the release of his photo on the wanted list, Okodeh, the PDP’s chairmanship candidate for the state’s April 11 LG elections, was compelled to withdraw his name and replace it with a