From Godwin Tsa, Abuja
The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a N1 billion fundamental rights suit filed by Rev. Dr. Israel Akanji, President of the Nigerian Baptist Convention, against the Nigeria Police Force and others.
The court upheld the police’s authority to investigate allegations of fraud against Akanji, former pastor of First Baptist Church, Garki, Abuja.
Akanji’s suit, marked FHC/ABJ/152/2025, alleged harassment and rights violations following a petition by Engineer Adekunle Mokuolu accusing him of forging the church’s constitution and misappropriating funds.
“The police have a duty under the law to investigate any reasonable suspicion of a crime,” Justice Obiora Egwuatu ruled, noting Akanji was not detained but released on self-recognisance on June 5, 2024.
Mokuolu, the seventh respondent, argued his petition was in good faith and denied controlling police actions. The court dismissed Akanji’s claims, citing ongoing criminal charges (CR/1045/24) at the FCT High Court in Kwali. “If you see something, say something,” the judge said, encouraging civic duty.