NBA petitioned over alleged disobedience of court order by police in Damaturu

By: Zagazola Makama 

The Damaturu Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has been petitioned over the alleged refusal of a senior police officer to comply with a valid court order concerning two suspects under investigation in Yobe.

In a letter dated Feb. 24 and addressed to the Chairman of the NBA, Damaturu Branch, counsel to the suspects, M.A. Dauya, Esq., of Pulaaku Chambers, accused the Officer in Charge of the Crack Squad, Damaturu, ACP Adamu Mai Baba, of gross violation of fundamental human rights and flagrant disregard for the rule of law.

The petition concerns two suspects, Ali Yusufa and Muhammadu Dawai, who are currently being investigated by the Crack Squad, Damaturu, over allegations of conspiracy and cattle theft.

According to the letter, the suspects were incriminated by one Jimau Dashiri. The counsel described as curious the claim that the same accuser allegedly deposited ₦300,000 each on behalf of the suspects out of fear that they might be detained.

The petition further alleged that the suspects were granted bail on the condition that they pay ₦2.3 million each as “compensation” and “bail fees” for an offence for which they have not been convicted by any court of law. It stated that on Feb. 22, the suspects were re-arrested solely for allegedly failing to pay the balance of the demanded compensation.

Counsel also alleged that despite a court order served on Feb. 23 directing the police to produce the suspects in court immediately, ACP Adamu Mai Baba refused to comply.

The letter added that even after the Commissioner of Police, Yobe state Police Command, directed that the suspects be charged to court accordingly, the officer allegedly ignored both the judicial order and the administrative directive.

Describing the development as a breach of the suspects’ fundamental rights and an affront to the integrity of the judiciary, the counsel urged the NBA to intervene.

Specifically, the lawyers called on the NBA, in conjunction with its national body, to engage the Yobe State Police Command to ensure the immediate release or production of the suspects in court, investigate the alleged demand for monetary compensation as a condition for bail, and take necessary legal steps to ensure that the matter is resolved.

Copies of the petition were also sent to the Inspector-General of Police, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 15 Headquarters, Maiduguri, the Commissioner of Police, Yobe State Command, and the President of the NBA.

As of the time of filing this report, there was no official response from the police authorities regarding the allegations.