President Jonathan Gets Court Injunction To Scuttle Obasanjo Book Launch

 A few days after a delegation of five Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors failed to persuade former President Olusegun Obasanjo to reconcile with President Goodluck Jonathan, the latter has used one of his proxies to attempt to scuttle the launch of Mr. Obasanjo’s book titled “My Watch”.

SaharaReporters had reported exclusively that the former president’s book harshly criticizes Mr. Jonathan as well as former Vice President Abubakar Atiku and other political players.

The three-volume book is scheduled to be formally launched in Nigeria this week. The third volume, which is devoted to the happenings since Mr. Obasanjo left office, contains the sharp criticism of the Jonathan government. It contains highly uncomplimentary details about the incompetence of President Jonathan in handling several major issues. The book also details Mr. Obasanjo’s efforts to help Mr. Jonathan to address some national issues that have now ballooned into major catastrophes.

In a stunning move, Kashamu Buruji, a sworn enemy of Mr. Obasanjo, has obtained an injunction from an Abuja Federal High Court judge stopping Obasanjo from publishing or circulating the book.

According to court documents seen by SaharaReporters, Alex Izinyon (SAN) filed a lawsuit (FCT/HC/M/2392/2014) on behalf of Kasahmu last week seeking an injunction restraining Obasanjo from publishing or circulating his autobiography. Justice Valentine Ashi reportedly granted a ruling ordering Mr. Obasanjo not to publish the book or circulate it until the substantive case is resolved. The case was adjourned till December 10, 2014.

Mr. Buruji is wanted in the US for drug-related offenses. Recently, he lost all appeals aimed at stopping the US justice system from trying him. Mr. Buruji's rising political profile is one of the reasons the former president fell out with Mr. Jonathan.

Last week SaharaReporters broke the news that President Obasanjo will be releasing his book to the public this week. Since then President Jonathan has panicked. Officials of the State Security Service (SSS) were instructed to seize copies of the book from its publishers, but one security source told SaharaReporters that they discovered that President Obasanjo had already taken possession of copies of the book meant to launched and presented to the public soon.