TheCable

The Peace Corps of Nigeria (PCN) has appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to order Ibrahim Idris, inspector-general of police (IGP), to unseal its headquarters in Abuja.

The corps headquarters located in the Jabi district of Abuja has been sealed by the police since February 2017.

Despite two court orders and a resolution paseed by the house of representatives, the police have refused to unseal the office.

This led the court to suspend the prosecution of Dickson Akoh, the corps commandant-general, indefinitely.

Speaking with journalists on Wednesday, Akoh also asked other well-meaning citizens to intervene in the situation.

“In view of the landmark ruling yesterday coupled with other previous judgements and the resolution of the house of representatives, we wish to renew our appeal, as part of our last resort to President Muhammadu Buhari to please direct the inspector-general of police (IGP) to order his men to vacate the premises of the headquarters of our organisation in the interest of equity, fairness and justice,” he said.

“We are also appealing to the attorney-general of the federation (AGF), the National Human Rights Commission, civil society organisations, human rights activists and other well-meaning Nigerians to urgently intervene in this regard, especially in prevailing on the Nigeria police to respect the rule of law as a frontline law enforcement agency.

“The clamp down and the purported charges against me and indeed this organisation were essentially to stop Mr President from assenting to the NPC bill and stopping the legislative arm of government from doing the needful.

“We are ever ready to defend ourselves before any court of law as it is our wish to clear ourselves of any allegations. In a civilized society where the rule of law is supreme and respected by institutions of government and individuals, it is expected that the police comply with valid court orders and subsequently come before the court to prove its allegations against us, if any at all.”

Akoh said IGP’s refusal to obey court orders and “his selective victimization” should be disturbing to all lovers of democracy.