JUST IN; Court orders arrest of DPO
A High Court, yesterday, issued a bench warrant of arrest on the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, of Mokwa, Wakili Inusa, for refusing to receive a court summon from the bailiff in Minna Niger State.
The presiding Judge of High Court 4, Justice Mohammed Mohammed, issued the arrest of the DPO at its sitting in Minna.
The Court balilff had told the Court that the DPO refused to receive the court summon from him (baliff) after he had read through on a case of enforcement of fundamental rights by one Isyaku and others.
The plaintiff, Isyaku and others are seeking the enforcement of fundamental rights to dignity of their persons, personal liberty, fair hearing, freedom of movement and right to bail.
The Respondents include the Inspector General of Police, IGP, Deputy Commissioner of Police Bello of FIB Special Taskforce, Wakili Inusa, who is the DPO of Mokwa and Hamza Baba.
Counsel to the applicants, Philip Emmanuel had told the Court that the plaintiffs were arrested in Abuja and had been incarcerated for almost three months by the police in Abuja.
Justice Mohammed Mohammed described refusal of the DPO to receive the personal service of the court processes as an affront on the administration of criminal justice system, saying “As a law enforcement officer, the DPO is supposed to uphold the rule of law as done by the 1st and 2nd Respondents who are his superiors.
“This court cannot encourage such misconduct from anybody especially the law enforcement officer.
“In view of the above, bench warrant is hereby issued against Wakili Inusa, DPO Mokwa to be brought to this court forthwith. “
The Judge also ordered the immediate release of all the applicants in the matter.
