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From Godwin Tsa, Abuja
A coalition of lawyers and the civil society organisation, Initiative Against Human Rights Abuse and Torture (INAHURAT), has petitioned Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu to investigate officers accused of obstructing and tear-gassing Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) operatives during the enforcement of a Federal High Court interim forfeiture order in Guzape, Abuja.
Addressing a press conference in Abuja on Wednesday, Dr. Maxwell Chibuike Opara described Monday’s confrontation at Plot 4022, O.B. Lulu-Briggs Street, Guzape, as evidence of “institutional anarchy and state-sponsored lawlessness.”
According to the group, unidentified armed men stationed at the property deployed chemical sprays and tear gas against EFCC personnel and threatened them with firearms before the commission secured the premises.
The property is linked to criminal proceedings against Rebecca Omokamo Godwin-Isaac, also known as Hajia Bilikisu.
Opara said EFCC operatives ultimately overpowered the officers, arresting two while others fled. He is demanding the IGP determine who deployed the officers and under what authority, questioning why police protection was allegedly extended to an individual with no politically exposed status amid a property already under valid court forfeiture.
The group said the two arrested officers remain in custody and that a large quantity of ammunition was recovered from the premises.
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Opara commended the EFCC’s enforcement action, noting Godwin-Isaac is standing trial on forgery-related charges.
He alleged the disputed property belongs to an 80-year-old widow, Collen Mero Yesufu, who has been unable to access her home despite multiple court orders for its recovery.
He further alleged that Godwin-Isaac forged ownership documents and refused to vacate, prompting an EFCC probe after attempts to resolve the matter through the police were allegedly frustrated. The EFCC subsequently filed charges and obtained the interim forfeiture order from the Federal High Court.
The group renewed claims that Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) officials fraudulently issued a second passport to the suspect while her original passport remained in government custody under court proceedings, allegedly processed through an irregular non-appearance procedure that bypassed physical biometric capture.
INAHURAT called on the Minister of Interior and the NIS Comptroller-General to respond, warning of potential national security implications.
It disclosed that a petition on the matter, submitted by senior lawyer Femi Falana, is already before the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the Minister of Interior, and the NIS Comptroller-General.
The group also urged Attorney-General and Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi SAN to issue a fiat taking over the ongoing police prosecution of the suspect, alleging the case had been compromised.
