SAHARANEWS – The Nigeria Police Force has acted on a resolution of the House of Representatives by arresting the Spokesman for the Coalition of United Political Parties, Ikenga Ugochinyere, who had accused the leadership of the House of Representatives of collecting $10m bribe from American billionaire, Bill Gates, to pass the Infectious Disease Control Bill also known as the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control Bill.
Ugochinyere’s lawyer, Chibuzor Ezike, revealed this in a statement on Thursday.
Ezike said Ugochinyere was arrested around 5.30pm on Thursday despite a court order barring the police from enforcing the resolution of the House.
The statement read in part, “We have been reliably informed by citizens who witnessed the commando-style arrest that our client was manhandled, assaulted and whisked away by the men against his will.
“We were informed that he was eventually told that they were to arrest him based on the instigation of Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
“Nigerians will recall that Mr Gbajabiamila had misdirected the House of Representatives to pass a resolution against Mr Ikenga and also to direct the police and the State Security Services to arrest him.
“However, on June 3, 2020, the Federal Capital Territory High Court ordered the police and the SSS in clear terms not to give effect to the resolutions and acts of Mr Gbajabiamila and further restrained them from arresting or detaining in any manner our client.”
The lawyer called on the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, to obey the order of the court and release Ugochinyere immediately so as not to incur further odium from well-meaning lovers of democracy and constitutionality.
He said the injunction order of the court and all processes in the matter have been served on the police including the hearing notice notifying that the matter had been adjourned for definite hearing on June 30, 2020.
“The matter came up for hearing on Wednesday being June 17, 2020, and the Director-General SSS and National Assembly both appeared in court and have filed their defences while the police refused to appear or file any defence,” Ezike added.