Atiku Flays Nigeria Police Flagrant Violation Of Citizens’ Rights

…Says, Nigeria is a nation of law and order

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has slammed the Nigeria Police Force for what he described as “blatant breach” of citizens’ rights and disregard for court orders.

This was as the Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in the 2023 election, highlighted a worrying trend of journalists being arrested under the guise of the cybersecurity law for holding leaders accountable.

Atiku’s outrage followed 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 June 13, 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.

But, the Nigeria Police acted in breach of that order.

Atiku, who was incensed by the Gestapo-style arrest, which he noted 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, condemned the action and berated the police for their impunity and lack of respect for the rule of law and citizens’ rights.

These were contained in a statement by Paul Ibe, Media Adviser to the former vice president in which Atiku decried the incident as reminiscent of the oppressive military dictatorship era when citizens were detained without adherence to legal processes.

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