Stamdup9ja: Police prevent Peace Corps from occupying office

The Police yesterday prevented members of the Peace Corps of Nigeria from taking possession of their national headquarters in Jabi, Abuja.

The premises had remained sealed by the police since February 28, 2017 the day it was officially commissioned.  

The police had ignored orders of the Federal High Court, Abuja with the attendant letter from the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, directing it to vacate the premises.  

The House of Representatives had through its Committee on Public Petitions, on Tuesday, urged the police to comply with court orders and the advice of the AGF.   

But as early as 10am yesterday, officers of Peace Corps led by the National Commandant, Dickson Akoh joined by the Coalition of Civil Society Organizations for Justice and Equity, stormed the sealed premises to take possession of the offices. 

However, the move was resisted by a detachment of Mobile Police officers from the FCT Command.   

Reacting to this development, the civil society coalition led by Olayemi Success, said it was ironical that, “Same police which was supposed to be enforcing law could not obey court orders, the AGF and the order of Nigerian parliament.” 

Speaking, the FCT Commissioner of Police, Bello Sadiq, pleaded with the corps to hold on while he consulted the Inspector General of Police, whom he said has final say on the matter.