Frustrated that former Minister of State for Education, Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi, allegedly refused to honour its invitation, even after he promised to do so thrice, the Delta Police Command has declared him wanted.
It subsequently sought information from members of the public on his whereabout.
But Gbagi in Abuja has rushed to court and he got a court order to stop his arrest. A Federal High Court in the Abuja Division, Justice Taiwo Taiwo, on Wednesday restrained the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu and the Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, from arresting and detaining former Minister of Education, Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi in connection with an alleged case of dehumanisation involving four persons in Effurun, Delta State.
In a statement, Police spokesman for the Delta Command Deputy Superintendent of Police Onome Onovwakpoyeya detailed efforts to bring in Gbagi which were rebuffed: “Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi was invited by the Commissioner of Police through the Area Commander Warri and DPO Ebrumede Division on September 25th, 2020 for questioning concerning the alleged dehumanizing manner in which he ordered some of his staffs to be stripped naked and physically assaulted because of an alleged case of stealing which took place at Signatious Hotel belonging to him.
“Kenneth Gbagi personally and severally called and gave the excuse that he has a burial ceremony of his elder sister on Friday 25/9/2020 in which he is a key player, and asked for time to finish with the ceremony on Sunday, thereafter will report at the State Headquarters on Monday September 28, 2020. These requests were granted on humanitarian ground.
“On Monday September, 28th 2020, Kenneth Gbagi called the Commissioner of Police to say that he has a court case to attend to, promising to report at the Police Headquarters in Asaba by 3:00pm; again he was equally obliged. On the same date, the Commissioner of Police had to call him at about 5:00pm before the same Kenneth Gbagi said he was on his way to the State HQ Asaba.
“Sadly and unfortunately Kenneth Gbagi still failed to report instead he went into the public space to disparage, blackmail and maligned the person of the Commissioner of Police and the Nigeria Police Force, Delta State Command for insisting on investigating him.
“Having failed to honour his promises, DELTA STATE POLICE COMMAND is left with no option than to DECLARE OLOROGUN KENNETH GBAGI WANTED.
“Therefore members of the public with useful information as to his whereabouts are advised to go to the nearest Police Station to report for his immediate arrest and handing him over to the Command for thorough investigation/prosecution.
In Abuja, Justice Taiwo gave his restraining order in suit No: FHC/ABJ/CS/1267/2020 between Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi being Applicant and the Inspector General of Police and the Delta State Commissioner of Police as the two Respondents.
The Applicant had sought five reliefs from the court, to wit:
▪︎ An interim order restraining the respondents whether by themselves, their agents, employees or 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.
▪︎An order directing the parties to maintain the status quo ante bellum, pending the hearing and determination of the enforcement of the fundamental right of the applicant.
▪︎Leave to serve the second respondent (Delta State Commissioner of Police) by substituted means, among others.
The application was filed on behalf of Gbagi by Nkem Okoro Esq and N.W.Nimi Esq of Dynamic Options Chambers.
Apart from the restraining order, the Court also gave the Respondents 14 days to file a response and fixed October 16, for hearing of the case.