6th October, 2016
Abubakar was arrested by Interpol, Alagbon on Tuesday September 27, 2016 on an alleged currency exchange balance indebtedness of N2.3 million to another businessman, Mr. Lawali Shittu.
His arrest was sequel to petition earlier made by Shittu who used to Abubakar’s business associate.
After Abubakar was interrogated by police officers at the Interpol Division in Alagbon, Lagos, the matter was transferred to the Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department (FCIID) in Abuja where he is still being detained as at the time of filing this report.
According to the petition signed by Abubakar’s solicitor, Joseph E. T. of Titilope Emmanuel and Co., the application for Abubakar’s bail had been submitted immediate after he was interrogated by officers attached to FCIID but the bail was not granted allegedly on the order of the Assistant Commissioner of Police heading the department.
According to him, “his detention is unlawful and an abuse of his fundamental human rights saying it is unconstitutional for the police “to attempt to forcefully recover debts between two business partners.”
The petition read in part; “the intimidation by the men of Interpol, Alagbon and the subsequent deprivation of his right to liberty and unlawful detention is unfair.”
The petition stated further that “FCIID by its action at refusing bail to Abubakar is an indication that it’s bias in the handling of the matter and as such, the department will not be able to do thorough and balance investigation.”
Abubakar, in the petition appealed to the Inspector General of Police and the Attorney General of the federation to prevail on FCIID to grant him bail or charge the matter to court without further delay.
Efforts made to reach the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olabisi Kolawole proved abortive as several calls to his cell phones did not go through.
