News

Businessman Sues Police Over False ‘Wanted’ Declaration

Published by Tope Fakinlede on June 16th, 2024.

Businessman Sues Police Over False ‘Wanted’ Declaration

Businessman Musa Mubarak Saliu has filed a lawsuit against the Inspector General of Police (IGP) at the Federal High Court in Abuja, claiming he was wrongly declared wanted in connection with a land dispute.

The suit, submitted by his legal team, also includes the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of the Police Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department, and Funmilola Florence Olorunfemi as defendants.

Saliu, a former New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) governorship candidate in Kogi State in 2023, bases his lawsuit on Sections 34, 35, 41, and 46, along with articles 5 and 6 of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights Cap 10 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004. He seeks N500 million in damages for the alleged violation of his rights to privacy, dignity, personal liberty, and freedom of movement due to the Police declaring him wanted.

He is also requesting the court to order the unfreezing of account number 1000129689 at Globus Bank, belonging to Emperor City Integrated Limited, where he is the main signatory, arguing that the action infringes on his fundamental rights.

Additionally, Saliu wants the court to rule that the Police’s publication of his photo and name in the Special Police Gazette bulletin (Ref No: CB: 3510/LX/FHQ/SEB/ABJ/T.7/Vo. 1/20) as a wanted person violated his fundamental rights. He is demanding an apology from the Police, to be published in the Special Police Gazette bulletin and two national newspapers.

The conflict began when Olorunfemi paid N25 million for a house Saliu was developing, which was subsequently demolished by the FCT Department of Development Control. Saliu claims he had informed all subscribers, including Olorunfemi, that he was working to resolve the issue and resume construction.

Saliu argues that his dealings with Olorunfemi are of a civil nature and do not warrant Police intervention, account freezing, or being declared wanted.

No hearing date has been set for the case.