Former Minister, Gbagi gets court order restraining IGP, Delta CP from arresting him

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 former Minister of State for Education, Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi.

The Delta State Police Command had earlier on Wednesday who is a governorship aspirant for the 2023 gubernatorial election in Delta wanted over his alleged involvement in the stripping of his hotel workers naked.

A statement by the command said Gbagi was declared wanted for failing to honour police invitation on the alleged assault and stripping of workers at his Signatures Hotel in Effurun area of the state.

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However, in an exparte motion filed by Gbagi’s lawyer, Nkem Okoro, on Monday September 28, 2020, he prayed the court to restrain the Inspector-General of Police (First Respondent) and the Delta State Police Commissioner (2^nd 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.

Part of the copy of the motion exparte granted by court and sighted by NewsNet 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.

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“That Leave is hereby granted to the Applicant to serve Originating processes and all other subsequent processes in this matter, on the 2^nd 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:

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“(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 adjourned the case to the 16 of October, 2020 for hearing.