A lawyer has petitioned Nigeria’s Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, over the continued detention of a man despite an order by the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory directing his release.
Legal practitioner Edeh Uchenna filed the petition on behalf of Godwin Francis Akpan, citing an order issued by the FCT High Court on 17 September in Suit No. CV/4013/26, which directed that Mr Akpan be released from police custody. (Time.)
According to the petition, Mr Akpan’s detention arose from a police investigation linked to a dispute between his employer and another company. The lawyer said the matter was essentially commercial in nature and noted that his client had not been charged before a court.
Mr Uchenna acknowledged the police’s authority to investigate alleged criminal offences, but argued that such powers must be exercised within the law and with respect for individual liberty and judicial authority.
He maintained that a valid court order remains binding unless it is lawfully set aside, varied or stayed by a competent court.
The lawyer therefore called on the IGP to urgently intervene and ensure compliance with the court’s release order, while stressing that the petition was not intended to prevent the police from continuing any lawful investigation.
“We are not seeking immunity from investigation,” the petition stated, adding that the underlying dispute should be addressed through the appropriate legal channels.
The petition was also copied to several institutions, including the Chief Judge of the FCT High Court, the Nigerian Bar Association, the Police Service Commission, the National Human Rights Commission and the Public Complaints Commission.
The lawyer said the case raised wider concerns about personal liberty, due process, police accountability and respect for court orders, and urged the police authorities to resolve the matter in accordance with the law. (Time.)
