NSCDC Commandant Risks Jail for Contempt of Court

Yinka Kolawole in Osogbo

The Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), Abdullahi Garba Muhammadu, has been summoned by the federal high court in Osogbo, Osun State capital, to explain why he should not be jailed.

The NSCDC boss and the corps’ Commandant in Osun State, Philip Olusola Ayodele, were summoned by Justice M. A. Onyetenu, to appear before the court on May 10, and explain why they disobeyed the court order to release two diesel-filled trucks in their possession to the owner.

It was gathered that officials of the corps in Osogbo had seized the two trucks in 2013, claiming that they were adulterated products.
But Justice Babs Kuewumi of the Federal High court, Osogbo, discharged the respondents and ordered the release of their truck in October 4, 2016.

Though the civil defence did not appeal the judgement, they refused to release the truck to the respondents.
Counsel to the respondents, Dele Uche Igbiniedion, sought an order of the court, compelling the civil defence to release the truck, having failed to appeal the judgment after three months.

After they refused to release the truck, Igbinedion also served them form 48 and 49 (Notice of consequences of disobedience to order of court and notice to show cause why an order of commital to prison should not be made), and published it in national dailies.

When the case came up yesterday, the civil defence were represented by their counsel, S. B. Basambo, who appologised to the court for the duo’s absence, saying that the Commandant General travelled abroad.

He thereby urged the court to grant him adjournment so as to enable him produce his clients in court.
However, Justice Onyetenu adjourned the case to May 10, 2017 for the civil defence chiefs to appear before the court and explain why they should not be committed to prison for dissobeying court order.