In a dramatic turn of events, armed policemen from the Inspector General of Police’s (IGP) office raided the Peace Corps Head Office near Jabi Lake, Abuja, on Friday around 3 PM, leading to the arrest of National Commandant Dickson Akoh and 16 officers.
The IGP, Kayode Egbetokun, initiated the arrest stemming from a landlord-tenant disagreement between Akoh and his landlord. Witnesses reported that the officers, accompanied by thugs, forcibly entered the premises, vandalizing doors and ransacking offices before detaining Akoh without presenting a warrant of arrest or detention order.
Sources reveal that Akoh has been held incommunicado since Friday, following a legal dispute regarding the tenancy of the property located at No. 57 Iya Abubakar Crescent, off Alex Ekwueme Way. A recent ruling by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court upheld that the rental agreement for the property extends until 2025, contrary to the landlord’s claims that it expired in 2024. Justice M.M. Adamu’s judgment on June 27, 2024, deemed the landlord’s possession order unlawful.
READ ALSO: Fake LASTMA Officer Arrested, Confesses to Earning Up to N25,000 Daily Through Extortion
The officers reportedly instructed the accompanying thugs to destroy property on-site and intimidate any officers present during the operation. Concerns have escalated among Peace Corps personnel due to the police’s refusal to grant Akoh access to family members and legal counsel.
The Youth Advancement Initiative (YAI) has condemned Akoh’s arrest, labeling it “unacceptable, illegal, and unlawful,” and called for his immediate release, asserting that he has committed no crime. Human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju criticized the IGP’s actions, stating that it is outrageous for police to intervene in a civil matter regarding landlord-tenant disputes.
As this situation unfolds, the implications for Akoh and the Peace Corps remain uncertain, with widespread calls for justice and accountability in handling the case.
