Posted by By FEMI BABAFEMI on
The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Sunday Ehindero risks arrest following his refusal to release from detention an Action Congress (AC) chieftain, Mr Bashir Junaid after a Lagos High Court ordered his release on December 19, 2006.
The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Sunday Ehindero risks arrest following his refusal to release from detention an Action Congress (AC) chieftain, Mr Bashir Junaid after a Lagos High Court ordered his release on December 19, 2006.
Junaid who was one of the suspects arrested by the police over the murder of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant in Lagos, Engr Funso Williams had gone to court to challenge his continued detention after about six months in police cell.
His moves to seek the enforcement of his fundamental human rights paid off on December 19, when a Lagos High Court presided over by Justice Inumidun Akande directed the Inspector-General of Police and the state Police Commissioner to release Junaid from their cell immediately.
The court ruled 'that the continuous arrest and detention of the applicant is unconstitutional and flagrant violation of the fundamental right of the applicant to personal liberty as guaranteed in section 35 of the Constitution."
In addition, the court also granted 'an order releasing immediately the applicant from detention and restraining the respondents from further infringing on the fundamental rights of the applicant and granting the applicant bail unconditionally."
Two weeks after the court gave the order, the IGP is however yet to comply, prompting Juniad's lawyers to file an application for the arrest of the police boss for contempt of court.
Associates of the detained politician have continued to accuse Ehindero of collaborating with the PDP leadership in Lagos to punish him (Junaid) for dumping PDP to join AC.
The fresh application to force the IGP to obey the court order is expected to be filed today after which an order for the arrest of the police boss may be given.