An Area Court presided over by Hon H. H Dolnaan and Hon A. A Sadiq has ordered the Nigerian Police Force to Unseal the 17 Local Government Council Secretariats of Plateau State. This was pursuant to prayers sought for in a Motion Exparte filed in a case brought before the court with Suit No. ACB/CV/106/2023 between the Attorney General of Plateau State (Plaintiff) Vs Commissioner of Police (Defendant).
The Plaintiff sought for an order setting aside the directive of the Defendant (Commissioner of Police) sealing the Council Secretariats of the 17 Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The Plaintiff also sought for “an Interim Order unsealing all the Local Government Councils in Plateau State to allow for the immediate resumption of duties by Local Government Council staff who have been denied access to their various places of Work.”.
The plaintiff also sought for ” A FURTHER INTERIM ORDER OF THIS HONOURABLE COURT, mandating the Defendant (Commissioner of Police) to DIRECT his men to immediately vacate the Secretariat of all the 17 Local Government Councils of Plateau State to allow Local Government Staff who have been shut out from their duty posts, resume their Offical duties without any let or hindrance and allow and to allow for the smooth administration of Local Government Councils in Plateau State.
The court granted the prayers pending 7th of August, 2023 for mention and hearing of the motion on notice.
Recall that on June 1st 2023, the Executive Governor of Plateau State, Barr. Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang recommended the suspension of the Elected Council Executives of the 17 LGAs following the receipt of a correspondent from the Plateau State House of Assembly vide letter Ref No S/PLHA/ADM/124/VOL.VI/XXX dated 1st June, 2023 recommending the suspension of the Seventeen (17) Local Government Areas Chairmen.
The recommendation for the suspension was based on their inability to make available records of their income and expenditure to the house.
The immediate past Inspector General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, on June 15ht 2023, instructed the Plateau State Commissioner of Police, CP Bartholomew N. Onyeka, to seal up all 17 LGA secretariats. The decision according to the statement stemed from the Nigeria Police Force’s constitutional responsibility to maintain peace and order in the state.
In a statement issued by the police public relations officer, DSP Alfred Alabo, on behalf of the Plateau State Commissioner of Police on June 15th 2023, the force emphasized the commitment of the police force to maintain security and ensure a peaceful environment for all residents.
Acknowledging the gravity of the situation, the Nigeria Police Force on the Plateau refused to remain idle while potential threats loom over the smooth functioning of the LGAs. Consequently, the sealing up of the secretariats aimed to prevent any disruptions and maintain law and order.
The police command issued a stern warning to individuals who may attempt to impede this process or cause confusion at the local government secretariats, as the full force of the law will be brought upon such individuals.
Nigeria Star News 