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The court presided over by Justice T. Y. Abasi sought the appearance of the IGP following the lawsuit brought by Darius Obienem, the proprietor of the Euphemie Motel in Opu-Nembe, Bayelsa state.
The court threatened that if the IGP, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), and the Police Service Commission (PSC) do not appear, either personally or through legal representatives, judgment will be entered in their absence.
Nembe, Bayelsa State – A Bayelsa state High Court, Nembe Division, has granted Kayode Egbetokun, the inspector-general of police (IGP), a 42-day grace time to appear in court. According to Premium Times, the summons is for an N649 million hotel lodging debt suit brought by Darius Obiene, the owner of Euphemie Motel in Opu-Nembe, Nembe local government area (LGA).
The Nigerian Tribune also noted the court’s directive.
The court noted that if Egbetokun and the other respondents, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and the Police Service Commission (PSC), fail to appear in person or through a legal representative, a judgment may be recorded against them in their absence. Obiene had filed a lawsuit against the Police Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit for failing to settle an alleged outstanding debt incurred from August 12, 2023 to the present.
The lodging debt, according to the report, was incurred by SWAT personnel led by Silas Adebayo. On Wednesday, December 11, Judge T. Y. Abasi ordered Egbetokun’s attendance in Bayelsa court.
“Nigeria not ripe for state police,” says IGP
Earlier, GuruTrends.com.ng reported that IGP Egbetokun gave the position of the NPF on state policing.
During a one-day dialogue on the issue in Abuja, Egbetokun said Nigeria is not ripe for state policing. He noted that the establishment of state police would increase ethnic tension, leading to divided loyalty in the states.
