The Peace Corps of Nigeria (PCN)
has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to prevail on the Inspector-General of
Police (IGP), Mr. Ibrahim Kpotum Idris, to urgently unseal its corporate
headquarters, in line with various court orders to that effect.
This was even as the Corps
claimed it had secured over 15 valid court judgements against the Police and
other security agencies in Nigeria and that none had been appealed against.
National headquarters of the
Peace Corps of Nigeria located at number 57, Iya Abubakar crescent, off Alex
Ekwueme street, opposite Jabi lake, Jabi, Abuja, has been under lock and keys
by the Police since February 28th, 2017, the day the office was officially
launched.
National Commandant of PCN, Amb
Dickson Akoh, has claimed the organisation pays as much as N13.5m rent annually
on the sealed office.
Speaking at a press briefing in
Abuja Wednesday, the Peace Corps Boss, said his group remained a
non-confrontational and law abiding organisation and has explored all lawful
means, including seeking political solutions to its ordeal, but to no avail.
“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 to order his men to vacate the premises of the headquarters of our organisation
in the interest of equity, fairness and justice.
“We are also appealing to the
Attorney-General of the Federation, 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”, Akoh
stated.
He said the police and its allies
have achieved their overall intent, “which is to stop the Nigerian Peace Corps
Establishment Bill from seeing the light of the day. 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”.
His words, “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”.
“The action of the IGP in
disobeying valid court orders with brazen impunity and his selective
victimization of innocent Nigerians must be quite disturbing to all lovers of
democracy.
“The truth is that, he is only courting more
enemies for this administration that is known for its strong aversion to all
manner of impunities, which is injurious to our President, who is doing all
that is humanly possible to place Nigeria on the path of economic and political
recovery”, Akoh stated.
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