NBA Onitsha Writes IGP To Comply With Court Order By Directing His Men To Release, Chukwuemeka Hills Asiegbu

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Onitsha Branch, has appealed to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the Police Service Commission to intervene and ensure release its member, Chukwuemeka Hills Asiegbu, from detention.

This is contained in a statement made available to TheNigeriaLawyer signed by the Branch Chairman, Steve Onyechi Ononye, Esq

The Branch describes the arrest and detention of the Branch’s immediate past Secretary, Chukwuemeka, by the duo of ASP MOHAMMED GIMBA and ACP. ELLEMAN of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Monitoring Unit, Force Headquarters, Abuja, at the instance of one IGNATIUS OKONKWO over a civil land transaction at Onitsha as “unwarranted and unlawful”

Giving the background of the situation, Ononye, Esq said “Chukwuemeka Hills Asiegbu Esq. was arrested on Friday the 10th day of July, 2020, at Onitsha, Anambra State, and was taken to Abuja at the instruction of the said Complainant, and has been in detention since then up till Tuesday 21st day of July 2020, despite concerted efforts by some Colleagues in Abuja to secure administrative bail for him.”

“Following from the above, and upon an application for his bail at the High Court of Justice, Onitsha, presided over by His Lordship Hon Justice S.N. Odili on 17/7/20 in the Fundamental Rights suit No. O/MISC. 142/2020, and in Motion No. 0/908M/2020: Barr Chukwuemeka Hills Asiegbu vs. Ignatius Okonkwo & 6 Ors., directed the 4th — 7th Respondents on record, that is to say,

4. The Commissioner Anambra State
5. Mr Anayo Amuzie
(O/C Legal in charge of state CID, Anambra)
6. Asp Mohammed Gimba
IPO IGP Monitoring Unit, Abuja
7. Inspector General of Police

TO PRODUCE the applicant Barr Chukwuemeka Hills Asiegbu, in the High Court of Justice, Onitsha Judicial Division, Anambra State, on Monday 20/7/2020 and to show cause why he should not be released on bail.

“Notwithstanding the said Order, Chukwuemeka Hills Asiegbu Esq. is still being detained by the men of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Monitoring Unit, Force Headquarters, Abuja”

Ononye narrates further that court order has been obtained for the release of Chukwuemeka but the said order has been flagrantly disobeyed as Chukwuemeka is still in detention.

The Branch laments further that despite the court order, two cars of Chukwuemeka have been impounded and taken to Abuja at the instigation of the Complainant and ACP Elleman. It therefore urges the Inspector General of Police and the Police Service Commission to intervene and ensure compliance with the Court order and the release of Chukwuemeka.

The statement reads in part:

“On Monday, the 20th day of July, 2020, the Honourable Court of Justice sitting at Onitsha, Anambra State, presided over by Hon. Justice S.N. Odili, granted the release of the said Chukwuemeka Hills Asiegbu Esq from detention forthwith pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.

“Notwithstanding the above Order to release Chukwuemeka Hills Asiegbu Esq on the 20th day of July, 2020, but upon the instruction and instigating of the said Ignatius Okonkwo (the Complainant), ASP Mohammed Gimba and ACP. Elleman impounded the two (2) vehicles belonging to Chukwuemeka Hills Asiegbu Esq and took same to Abuja for no reason.

“The NBA Onitsha Branch, in the light of the above, have written to the Inspector General of Police and the Chairman, Police Service Commission, urgently seeking for their intervention to ensure that the Court order is obeyed and the said Chukwuemeka Hills Asiegbu Esq BE IMMEDIATELY RELEASED ON BAIL having been in detention for over eleven (11) days.”