Former Vice President of Nigeria and 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has strongly criticized the Nigeria Police Force for their recent actions, which he describes as a blatant violation of citizens’ rights and disregard for court orders.
The Explainer learned, the criticism stems from the arrest and transportation of Yusuf Sheriff Banki from Abuja to Maiduguri, Borno State, despite an existing court order prohibiting such action.
On June 13, 2024, Justice M. A. Madugu of the Bwari Judicial Division had issued an order restraining the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of Police Zone 15, and the Commissioner of Police (CP) FCT from arresting, intimidating, harassing, or threatening Banki and his family members pending the determination of a suit before the court.
Atiku, through his Media Adviser Paul Ibe, expressed his outrage at what he termed a “Gestapo-style arrest.”
In a statement released on Saturday, Atiku said, “This flagrant violation of a valid and subsisting court injunction is unacceptable in a democratic society.”
The former Vice President drew parallels between the current situation and the oppressive tactics employed during Nigeria’s military dictatorship era.
“We cannot allow a return to the dark days when citizens were detained without adherence to legal processes,” Atiku stated.
Emphasizing the importance of the rule of law, Atiku called for the immediate and unconditional release of Yusuf Sheriff Banki.
“Nigeria is a nation of law and order. The Police must respect court orders and citizens’ rights,” he insisted.
The PDP stalwart also raised concerns about a troubling trend of journalists being arrested under the guise of cybersecurity laws.
“This pattern of using cybersecurity legislation to silence those who hold leaders accountable is deeply worrying,” Atiku noted.
This incident has reignited debates about the relationship between law enforcement agencies and the judiciary in Nigeria. Legal experts have long emphasized the importance of respecting court orders to maintain the integrity of the justice system and uphold democratic principles.
The Nigeria Police Force has yet to respond to Atiku’s statement or provide details about the circumstances surrounding Banki’s arrest.
