Vacat My Office Premises, A message to Police by Akor After Court Order

 Despite court order that the headquarters of the Peace Corps of Nigeria, (PCN) office be vacated by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), the premises is still being occupied by policemen. 

The National Commandant of PCN, Dickson Akoh has however vowed to resume at the headquarters of PCN on Monday following the court judgment.

 A Federal High Court in Abuja last Thursday awarded N12.5m as damages against the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and the Inspector General of Police over their violation of the rights of Akoh and some of its members. Justice Gabriel Kolawole gave the award in a judgment on a fundamental right suit filed by Akoh and others.

 Men of the NPF had on February 28 this year invaded the Abuja headquarters of the PCN during its commissioning, and arrested Akoh and 49 other members of the group, who were later detained. 

Akoh and others later challenged their detention and the continued sealing of the PCN’s headquarters building in Abuja by the police by filing the fundamental rights enforcement suit and claiming N2billion damages.

 They listed the NPF, IGP, the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, the National Security Adviser, the Department of State Services (DSS) and its Director-General as respondents.

 In the judgment last Thursday, Justice Kolawole also ordered the police to immediately unseal the group’s headquarters at 57, Iya Abubakar Crescent, Off Alex Ekwueme Way, Opposite Jabi Lake, Jabi, Abuja. 

 Speaking to newsmen on Saturday on the judgment and recent development, Akoh said Corps headquarters has not been vacated. “This order was given last Thursday and it was supposed to take effect immediately. As far as law is concerned a court order is a public pronouncement and public document. As I am talking to you now police are still stealing the headquarters of the Peace Corps of Nigeria, (PCN). Their truck is still there. They should obey this court order to vacate the PCN headquarters. 

“I think what the police is looking for is for us to revolt so that they can use it to justify their actions and look for another charges to hold us. In a country that practice ideal democracy, the Inspector General of Police is not following what the rule of law says. Our lawyers have told us to be patient. We have waited for this development since February 28, so waiting till Monday will not harm us.”