Police Defy Court Order, Harass Occupants of Abuja Property
Despite a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court order, police officers have raided a property at No. 3, Lokoja Street, Area 8, Abuja, subjecting its occupants to harassment and intimidation. The officers, acting on instructions from the Assistant Inspector-General of Police for Zone 7, were reportedly attempting to arrest property agent Daramola Olutoye. Residents of the building are now living in fear, as security forces have been stationed around the property since the operation, led by an Assistant Superintendent of Police. A court order had already barred the police from arresting Olutoye. Olutoye, who filed a suit (FCT/HC/M/532/2024) against the police, claims to have suffered intimidation and harassment, including a N100,000 extortion. He further alleged that the police had tracked him to Etiki State, contacted his family, and continued to harass him. Olutoye’s lawyer, Mr. Pius Attah, expressed concern for his client’s safety, as Olutoye has been unreachable for days, prompting fears of potential abduction. On November 25, 2024, FCT High Court Justice Kayode Agunloye issued an interim injunction prohibiting the police from taking further actions against Olutoye until the main suit is heard.
