•IGP Tunji Disu
The legal team representing one Mr. Godwin Francis Akpan has appealed to the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, over what it described as the continued detention of their client despite an order of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory directing his release.
The FCT High Court, Maitama, had on September 17 ordered Akpan’s immediate release after considering his application for bail or release from detention, reports The Guardian.
Justice C.N. Nwabulu-Ndukwe, in Motion No. M/13570/26, held that the reliefs sought had merit and ordered that Akpan be released “forthwith”.
The order followed an application filed on September 2 by Akpan, who had alternatively sought an order for his production before the court.
The respondents included the Nigerian Police Force, the Inspector-General of Police, officers of the IGP Monitoring Unit, the Police Service Commission, Elitech Footwear Technology Co. Ltd and George Chou.
However, in a September 24 petition, Akpan’s lawyers, Edeh Uchenna C. & Co., said their client was being detained in connection with a police investigation arising from a commercial dispute involving his employer’s company and another company.
They urged the IGP to ensure compliance with the court order, stressing that they were not seeking to stop any lawful investigation.
The lawyers alleged that Akpan had been detained beyond the statutory period without being charged, despite his willingness to cooperate with the police.
They argued that investigation must operate within the limits of due process, individual liberty and respect for judicial authority.
“This is not an appeal against investigation,” the lawyers said, adding that their concern was that “the liberty of an individual should not become collateral to a commercial disagreement.”
They urged the police to conduct any outstanding investigation through “lawful, transparent and orderly procedures” and allow the underlying commercial dispute to be resolved through the appropriate legal channels.
The petition, which included a certified true copy of the September 17 court order, called for urgent intervention by the IGP to secure compliance with the order.
The petition was also copied the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, the Governor of Abia State, the Inspector General of Police, the Chief Judge, High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, and the Chairman, Police Service Commission, added, “Let the investigation proceed, where lawfully required.
