Lawyers Ask IGP to Enforce Court Order Releasing Detained Man
Lawyers representing Godwin Francis Akpan have asked the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, to ensure compliance with a Federal Capital Territory High Court order directing the immediate release of their client.
Justice C.N. Nwabulu-Ndukwe of the FCT High Court, Maitama, had on September 17 ordered Akpan’s release “forthwith” after considering his application for bail or release from detention.
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The order was issued in Motion No. M/13570/26 following an application filed by Akpan on September 2, in which he alternatively sought an order compelling the police to produce him before the court.
However, in a petition dated September 24, Akpan’s legal team, Edeh Uchenna C. & Co., alleged that he remained in detention in connection with a police investigation arising from a commercial dispute involving his employer’s company and another company.
The lawyers urged the IGP to intervene and ensure that the court order was obeyed, while stressing that they were not seeking to prevent any lawful investigation.
They alleged that Akpan had been held beyond the statutory period without being charged, despite his willingness to cooperate with the investigation.
“This is not an appeal against investigation,” the lawyers said, arguing that “the liberty of an individual should not become collateral to a commercial disagreement.”
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They urged the police to conduct any outstanding investigation through lawful and transparent procedures while allowing the commercial dispute to be addressed 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.
Copies were also sent to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, the Governor of Abia State, the Chief Judge of the FCT High Court, the President of the Nigerian Bar Association and the Chairman of the Police Service Commission.
