Two children of the late Moshood Kasimawo Olawale popularly known as MKO Abiola, self-acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election have filed a N100 million suit against the Nigeria Police Force after spending nine days in detention over robbery allegation.
The two children identified as Kassim and Aliyu Abiola charged the Lagos state commissioner of police to court over their arrest and detention in connection with a robbery incident at their family house.
Recall that WITHIN NIGERIA on September 2 reported that Armed robbers on Wednesday invaded the home of late Moshood Abiola MKO, in Ikeja, Lagos state.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Bala Elkana had earlier disclosed that some suspects were arrested in connection with the incident.
According to a suit filed by Mike Ozekhome, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN) at the state high court, Kassim and Aliyu alleged that Adebisi Abiola, their stepmother is responsible for their arrest, having accused them of being involved in the incident.
“The applicants were tortured, totally humiliated, dehumanised and terrorised, with a crowd of people swarming the premises to witness the ugly scene in the home of MKO Abiola, a former presidential aspirant of the Social Democratic Party,” read an affidavit filed in support of the suit.
“The applicants were informed that their arrest was based on an alleged complaint by one Mrs Adebisi Abiola, their stepmother, to the effect that a robbery incident took place in their home; that suspected armed men invaded the residence and carted away valuables, including money.
“The applicants were forcibly dragged like common criminals, more in form of abduction than arrest and roughly driven to the Ikeja police station.
“They were promptly detained without any record, howsoever. They were not given any opportunity to speak with anyone, let alone a lawyer.”
Ozekhome requested the court to order the release of Kassim and Aliyu as their arrest was a violation of their fundamental human right.
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