Court berates Police Commissioner for disobeying order in Plateau

The Plateau state High Court has Wednesday berated the state commissioner of Police for disobeying Court order, to release a detained suspect, Babangida Yusuf.

Justice Daniel Longji of the High Court 5, said it is unfortunate that the Police could not release the applicant despite Court orders to that effect.

The Court had on the 13th May, 2019, ordered the Police to release Babangida Yusuf on bail, pursuant to a motion by the applicant Counsel Mahmud Usman.

The Counsel said the applicant, Babangida Yusuf, was arrested with two others in June 2018 by the police and since then they have been in detention without prosecution nor aware of their alleged offences.

However, Babangida Yusuf, on the 8th April, 2019, through his Counsel approached the court for his bail.

The Court granted the order, saying; “It is hereby ordered that, the accused be released to his father forthwith unconditionally.”

But as at Wednesday, the applicant Counsel, Mahmud Usman, told the Court that the, “Police have refused to release, the applicant.”

He said the police have told them that the Commissioner was not on seat.

However, Justice Longji frowned at the situation, saying the Police is an institution, and that the absent of the Police Commissioner wouldn’t have led to disobeying the court order.

“It is very unfortunate, that in a regime that is trying to make sure the rule of law is in place, should allow this to happen,” Justice Longji frowned.

He directed for the immediate compliance with the order of the court.

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