Court Orders Release Of Man Detained By Police Since 2011

A man who has been in police detention since 2011 finally had his prayers answered on Thursday as Justice I.O Kasali, of an Ikeja High Court ordered his immediate release.

Ogbeide Oyekhire had sued the respondents, Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Deputy Commissioner of Police (SCIB) Panti Street, Yaba and Supol Bamgboshe of D7, Human Rights (SCIB) Panti Street, Yaba, Lagos through his lawyer, Mr. Emmanuel Ogbeche.

Ogbeche told the court that the applicant was arrested and detained by the police on November 20, 2011, for allegedly stealing two vehicles, a Jaguar and a Honda CRV Sports Utility Van, SUV, imported by his brother, who is based in America.

According to Ogbeche, the vehicles in question were left in the custody of Oyakhire by his cousin and when a pressing need arose for the family to take care of, it was mutually agreed for the cars to be sold to enable them offset the financial burden.

“It was after this that our client was apprehended and incarcerated for stealing the cars, since November 20, 2011 at the Nigeria Police Station, Panti, Yaba, Lagos without being charged to court. The said complainant was said to have refused to show up after the first day he lodged the complaint,” he said.

Ogbeche also alleged that despite the court’s ruling that his client be release from detention, the police had refused to do so.

Ogbeche said even efforts to serve the police with the enrolment order have proved abortive as they have bluntly refused to accept the said order.

In her ruling, Justice I.O. Kasali said the continuous detention of Oyekhire for more than a year now is degrading, unlawful, illegal and a gross violation of his fundamental rights guaranteed under sections 34(1) 35(1) and 41(1) of 1999 Constitution as amended.

The Judge also ordered the respondents that their officers, agents, servants or privies should produce the applicant before the court and grant him bail conditionally or unconditionally.

She further restrained the respondents whether by themselves, their officers, agents, servants or privies from further inviting, arresting, detaining or in any other manner infringing on the fundamental rights of the applicant.