ABUJA - An Abuja High Court has ordered the FCT Police Commissioner to immediately release one pastor Sunday Ahiaba, who was allegedly detained by the Police since August 9.
The court faulted the detention because it was beyond the 48 hours required by law to arraign a suspect before a law court.
Justice Olasumbor Goodluck, in a ruling, also restrained the Police from further arresting him pending the determination of the motion before the court.
The ruling followed an exparte motion filed by the pastor’s lawyer, Mr. Ocholi James, SAN.
“The court, having carefully examined the submission of the applicant counsel, found out that the applicant is an asthmatic patient and required regular medical attention.
“I am aware that the Police station where the applicant was remanded falls within the 40 km to a court requirement, as stipulated by law.
“Since the Police have failed to arraign him, the court therefore holds that the applicant be released immediately pending the determination of the motion before the court,” the judge said.
Ahiaba, a pastor with the Deeper Life Bible Church Ajaokuta, and a staffer of Ajaokuta Steel Company, was allegedly arrested and brought to Abuja by the Police.
According to James, his client was only told when he got to Abuja, that he defrauded one Alhaji A.K. Mohammed of N4 million, adding that he had denied the allegation.
He alleged that the Police had demanded N2 million, representing 50 per cent of the amount, from the applicant before he could be released.
The arrest of the applicant on Aug. 9 and his detention, followed an earlier petition filed against him by Mohammed.
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