By Onozure Dania

Lagos—Justice Rabiu Shagari of a Federal High Court in Lagos, has issued an order directing the inspector General of Police, to produce a Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abubakar Aliyu before the court to answer contempt charges preferred against him.

IGP-Idris

Justice Shagari issued the order, due to the failure of Abubakar to abide by an interim order of the court directing parties to maintain status quo in a suit filed by 16 police officers, challenging his alleged sale of the Ikoyi police residence.

The plaintiffs are: DCP Dasuki Galadanchi, DCP Emmanuel Odwong, DCP Mansur Mohammed, DCP Efunsola Sowemimo, DCP Eguae Udofia, DCP John Ekowhiro, ACP Dorathy Ikpen and ACP Mary George.

Others are ACP Iliyasu Kwabai, CSP Bose Akinyemi, CSP Dauda Koki-Lasisi, CSP Joy Agunlana, SP Edith Ozobia, SP Okon Obong, DSP Kikelomo Oshodi-Glover and DSP John Idoko.

Joined as first defendant is the Presidential Committee on the implementation of the white paper on the commission of enquiry into the alienation of Federal Government landed property.

The second defendant is the Honourable Minister of Power, Works and Housing, while the third defendant is DCP Abubakar Aliyu.

The plaintiffs are challenging the harassment and ejection by the third defendant, from their residence at 6A Ruxton road, Ikoyi, Lagos.

They are also, asking for an order restraining them from further infringing on their rights.

Justice Shagari had on June 15, issued an interim order, directing parties to maintain status quo until the hearing of the motion on notice.

However, during the pendency of the said interim order, the third defendant (Abubakar) in gross disobedience of the orders of the court, ordered the forceful ejection of the plaintiffs from the said Ikoyi residence by beating and assaulting the officers comprising of senior staffs of the police force.

The counsel to the plaintiff, L A Idu had therefore, filed before the court, form 48, a notice of the consequences of disobedience to order of court.

In the notice, brought pursuant to the Sheriffs and Civil process Act, the plaintiff informs the defendant that unless the orders of the court is obeyed to the letter, a committal to prison for contempt maybe imminent.