From Jude Dangwam, Jos
An Area Court sitting in Bukuru Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State presided over by Hon. H.H Dolnaan has on Monday ordered the Plateau State Commissioner of Police to unsealed the Secretariats of the 17 Local Council Areas of the State.
This followed an application in a Suit No: ACB/CV/106/2023 instituted by the Attorney General of Plateau State against the Commissioner of Police Plateau State Command as defendant and respondent respectively.
The sitting Magistrate upon consideration of the Exparte Motion dated 26th July, 2023 but filed on 31st July, 2023, the Affidavit of urgency in support deposed to by Moses Jackke Mallan.
The Exhibit “A” annexed in support of the written Address prayed the Honourable Court the reliefs; the exercise of discretion by the Honourable Court for an Interim Order setting aside the defendant’s directive sealing the Secretariat of all the 17 Local Government Council of Plateau State.
“An Interim Order unsealing all the Local Government Councils in Plateau State to allow for the immediate resumption of duties by Local Government Council staff who have been denied access to their various places of work.”
Also is a further prayer for an “Interim Order of the Honourable Court mandating the defendant (Commissioner of Police) to direct his men to immediately vacate the Secretariat of all the 17 Local Government Council of Plateau state to allow Local Government staff who have been shut out from their duty post, resume their official duties without any let or hindrance and allow for the smooth administration of Local Government Council in Plateau State.”
The Court after hearing Counsel to the plaintiff D. P. Dusu Esq, the application was granted. Meanwhile 7th August, 2023 was set for mentioning and hearing of Motion on Notice.
Recalled that the 17 Council Secretariats in Plateau State has been under sealed for almost a month now by the Police after the suspension and subsequent sacking of the 17 Council Chairmen as recommended by the 9th Plateau State House of Assembly by the Executive Governor of Plateau State to pave ways for investigation of financial misappropriation.
The Commissioner of Police CP Bartholomew Onyeka through the Police Public Relations Officer of the Command DSP Alfred Alabo on 25th July,2023 reiterated in a statement titled: “SEALING OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT SECRETARIATS ON THE PLATEAU STILL IN FORCE” maintained that the sealing of the Council Secretariats was to avert any breakdown of law and order across the State.