An FCT Mobile Court sitting in Dei-Dei, a suburb of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) was dispersed by policemen who shot sporadically following the arrest of their colleagues.
Officials of the FCT Ministerial Joint Enforcement Task-team on COVID-19 Restrictions, had arrested a policeman identified as Agada Gabriel for allegedly not wearing a facemask in public and overloading his vehicle, a Gulf car with passengers.
Agada who resisted his arrest, called in his colleague Smart Jacob to help him resist his arraignment.
The duo who were subsequently arraigned and sentenced for overloading and non-use of face masks, reportedly refused to pay their fines or engage in community service as directed by the Court.
They thereafter mobilized gunmen from the Mobile Police Barracks in Dei-Dei who stormed the court, shooting sporadically and also dismantling the court’s canopy. They also vowed to never allow any court sitting in the area.
The Nation reported that the Presiding Magistrate, Theresa Otu, Court Prosecutor, Barr. Emmanuel T. Yatsegha and other court officials including a Correctional Service Personnel were left scampering for safety.
Chairman of the Task-team, Ikharo Attah confirmed the incident and also expressed confidence in the ability of the FCT Commissioner of Police Bala Ciroma in bringing the erring police officials to justice.
Attah said;
“Yes, I have been briefed about the unfortunate development. The Head, Legal Department of the Abuja Environmental Protection Board AEPB, Barrister Cecilia Makoji called to notify me of the ugly incident.
“While I cannot give you details, I can assure you that the FCT Police Commissioner, Mr. Bala Ciroma, who is our overall chairman and supervises our activities, is on top of the matter. As a no-nonsense man that the CP is, I want to plead with you to be rest assured that the matter would be handled appropriately.”
