Police Had AK-47, They Could Have Harmed Sowore For Questioning IG’s Tenure But They’re Nice – House Of Reps Member Gagdi

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yusuf Adamu Gagdi, a member of the House of Representatives, has said that the Nigerian police had the opportunity to harm activist Omoyele Sowore, who challenged the tenure extension of Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun.

Speaking as a guest on Channel TV Politics Today on Thursday night, the lawmaker noted that the police should be commended because despite having the arms and power to harm Sowore, they opted to take the matter to court, allowing the judiciary to interpret the law and ensure justice.

He added that the police, as they often do, could have harmed Sowore or detained him in an undisclosed location, away from the public and his relatives, after the activist questioned the legality of Egbetokun’s tenure extension.

The lawmaker said: “In this case, (there is something) which I expect you to even mention to appreciate the present police.

“I am saying this, people can read this politically. They (the police) have the force, they have the Ak-47 but they decided to take a matter to court for the third arm of government – the judiciary – to interpret the position of the law and do justice to either Sowore or the police.

“If they have done that, we should be clapping for them. What if they have kept him, arrested him and they don’t know where you (referring to Sowore) are?”

SaharaReporters had reported that Egbetokun filed cybercrime charges against Sowore for labelling him an ‘Illegal IG’.

The Inspector General of Police have subsequently filed 16 charges against the convener of the #RevolutionNow Movement.

This is contrary to the initial allegations contained in an invitation letter sent to Sowore last week, claiming that the police were “investigating case of resisting and obstructing public officers, disobedience to lawful order, acts intended to cause grievous harm or prevent arrest, compelling action by intimidation, reckless & negligent acts, refusal to assist public servant and cyberstalking in which your name featured, prominently”.

Sowore was detained at the Nigerian Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT) office at Old Abattoir by Guzape Junction, Abuja, on Monday, following his refusal to accept the bail conditions imposed by the police authorities on Monday.

He was eventually arranged before the Federal High Court in Abuja. And on Thursday, Justice Musa Suleiman Liman of the Federal High Court in Abuja granted him bail in the sum of N10 million with one surety of the same amount. The court also required Sowore to deposit his passport and provide an affidavit of means. (SaharaReporters)