Assault: Court bars police from arresting ex-minister, Kenneth Gbagi

A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Wednesday granted an order restraining the Inspector-General of Police and the Delta State Commissioner of Police from arresting a former minister of state for education, Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi over his alleged involvement in dehumanisation of four employees of his hotel, Signatious Hotel in Warri, Delta State. 

The Delta politician was alleged to have ordered that the workers – three women and a man – be stripped naked and filmed.

The police had on Wednesday declared Gbagi wanted for failing to honour its invitation.

But in an exparte motion filed by Gbagi’s lawyer, Nkem Okoro, on Monday September 28, 2020, prayed the court to restrain the Inspector-General of Police (First Respondent) and the Delta State Police Commissioner (2nd respondent) or their agents from arresting him.

Hon. Justice Taiwo O. Taiwo of the Federal High Court Abuja granted the order in a suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1267/2020, on Wednesday September 30.

A copy of the motion exparte granted by court and sighted by our correspondent on Wednesday reads, “That Order of Interim is hereby made restraining the Respondents, whether by themselves, their agents, employees, or by whatever name called, from threatening to arrest and or detain, and/or from arresting and detaining the Applicant pending the hearing and determination of the Applicant’s application for the enforcement of his fundamental rights

“That Leave is hereby granted to the Applicant to serve Originating processes and all other subsequent processes in this matter, on the 2nd Respondent by substituted means.

“That Order is hereby made by this Honourable Court directing that the Originating Processes and all other subsequent processes in this matter be served on the 2 Respondent by substituted means to wit:

“(a) By serving the 2 Respondent, through the 1″ Respondent, the Inspector General of the Police, at the office of the Inspector General of Police, Force Headquarters, Louis Edet House, Area 11, Garki, Abuja. 4.

“That the Respondents are at liberty if they wish to tie their response jointly and/or severally within 14 days.”

Justice Taiwo, however, adjourned the case to the 16 of October, 2020 for hearing.