Atiku indicts police over failure to comply with court orders

Atiku Abubakar, the 2023 presidential candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party, has indicted the Nigeria Police for their alleged violation of citizens’ rights and disregard for court orders.

The statement reads in part, “Atiku Abubakar, former Vice President of Nigeria and presidential candidate of the PDP in the 2023 election, has slammed the Police for their blatant breach of citizens’ rights and disregard for court orders.

According to a statement released by Paul Ibe, Atiku Abubakar’s media adviser, on Saturday, Atiku condemned the Nigeria Police for their alleged disregard for the rule of law, violation of citizens’ rights, and impunity.

“Atiku’s outrage follows the arrest and transportation of Yusuf Sheriff Banki from Abuja to Maiduguri, Borno State, in defiance of a standing court order.

“Justice M. A. Madugu of the Bwari Judicial Division, had on 13th June, 2024, granted an order restraining the IGP, AIG Zone 15, CP FCT, their agents, privies or anybody acting on their authority from arresting, intimidating, harassing and threatening Yusuf Sheriff Banki and his families pending the determination of the suit before the court.”

The former Vice President, emphasising Nigeria’s commitment to law and order, urged the Police to release Yusuf Sheriff Banki without conditions.

He stated, “The Nigeria Police acted in breach of that order. Atiku is incensed by the Gestapo-style arrest, which flagrantly violated a valid and subsisting court injunction restraining the Inspector General of Police, the Assistant Inspector General of Police Zone 15, and the Commissioner of Police FCT from arresting Banki.

“Condemning the action, Atiku berated the Police for their impunity and lack of respect for the rule of law and citizens’ rights. He decried the incident as reminiscent of the oppressive military dictatorship era when citizens were detained without adherence to legal processes.

“Emphasising that Nigeria is a nation of law and order, Atiku called on the Police to unconditionally release Yusuf Sheriff Banki.”