By Ikechukwu Nnochiri
ABUJA— A consortium of lawyers under the aegis of the Initiative Against Human Rights Abuse and Torture (INAHURAT) has urged the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, to investigate police officers allegedly involved in the obstruction of the enforcement of a court order.
In a statement on Wednesday, the lawyers alleged that armed police officers tear-gassed both the operatives and officials during the enforcement of a Federal High Court interim forfeiture order on a disputed property in the Guzape district of Abuja.
The rights group, through its leader, Dr. Maxwell Opara, who described the events at Plot 4022, O.B. Lulu-Briggs Street, Guzape, on Monday, June 29, as “a manifestation of institutional anarchy and state-sponsored lawlessness,” demanded a holistic investigation of the incident with a view to bringing the officers to book.
It noted that despite the initial attack, the EFCC operatives successfully apprehended some of the police officers he said were illegally stationed at the property that an Abuja-based developer is seeking to take from an 80-year-old widow.
INAHURAT further noted that the EFCC had earlier filed charges against the developer, Rebecca Godwin-Isaac, also known as Hajia Bilikisu, before the high court.
“We are calling on the Inspector-General of Police to immediately investigate who deployed those officers to the property and under whose authority they acted.
“Nigerians deserve to know why police officers were providing protection to an individual occupying a property that is subject to a valid court forfeiture order.
“The two arrested officers are currently in custody. We also have information indicating that a large quantity of ammunition was recovered from the house.
“We call on the current Inspector-General of Police: if you are not a party to this illegality, you should immediately order a comprehensive investigation and address Nigerians on this matter.
“This is an assault on the rule of law and on Nigeria as a nation.
“We commend public officials when they do the right thing, and we condemn them when they do otherwise.
“The EFCC Chairman has demonstrated courage by ensuring that justice is done and the rule of law is upheld,” the group added.
