Lawyer Petitions AIG over Threat to Life of Court Bailiff by DCO

Lawyer and human rights activist, Mr. Dania Abdullahi, has petitioned the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 2 Command Onikan, Lagos, on the abuse of office by the Divisional Crime Officer (DCO) in charge of the Ago Police Station, Isolo-Lagos, Abdullai Kasimu.

In the petition dated May 4, 2016, the lawyer is seeking the immediate transfer of a tenancy case file been investigated by Kasimu.
He said his client, Mr. Ernest Nwanoro, a Senior Bailiff/ Sheriff of the Federal High Court, is resident at No 21, Ajoke Okunsanya Street, Ago Palace Way, Okota Lagos, which is owned by an ex-Comptroller of Customs, Chief John Ogundoju, but managed by his daughter and husband, Mr. and Mrs. Eniafe Adeola.

He said Nwanoro was given a notice to quit the apartment by an agent of the landlord, one Lanre, but before the expiration of the notice, he (Lanre) in company of some policemen from the Ago Police Division, stormed his premises, and disconnected, both his power and water supply and also illegally barricaded the entrance to his premises.

He said on April 28, 2016, at about 10p.m., his client (Nwanoro) got a call from the said Lanre, for him to report at the police station.
He said his client was surprised at the call, as he was aware that such invitation ought to be served on him by a serving police officer and also ought not to be by night.

He said on April 29, him and his client went to the said Ago police station and requested to see the DCO, but was informed that he was away from office, and even the police officers at the station feigned ignorance of the invitation.

He said surprisingly on May 3, his client got a call from the DCO, threatening to shoot him, if he failed to appear at the station without fail.
He said his client’s house was subsequently, invaded afterwards, that he had to relocate his family to a friends place for safety.

According to the lawyer, he made several unsuccessful calls to the DCO and also sent text messages trying to find out the situation from him, but in return, the DCO used several negative aspersions on him.

He said the matter bordered on tenancy and is purely civil, but that it is obvious that the DCO has been greatly compromised, since he has descended into the arena, and has been making uncomplimentary statements which is unbecoming of a police officer.

He argued that the threat of the DCO cannot be taken likely, and urges the AIG, to order the transfer of the matter from the Ago police division to his division for a discreet, unbiased and fair investigation

He argued that it was important for the DCO to be cautioned on the position of the law as it relates to payment of rent, quite notice and all other issues of tenancy, adding that his client has not committed any offence.
All efforts to get the reaction of the said house managers on telephone, proved abortive as they refused to make any comment.