Committal Proceedings Against NDLEA Boss Adjourned

A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has adjourned till 8 December, 2011, committal to prison proceedings initiated against the chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency by one of the agency’s staff, Mr. Ben Saliu Ikani.

In an affidavit in support of an application to commit for contempt sworn to by Mr. Ben Ikani, the despondent averred that on 9 November, 2010, the court made an interim order upon his application that the chairman and the anti-drug agency should restore forthwith all his benefits and appearances as Assistant Commander of Nacrotics in the employment of the NDLEA within 48 hours of the service of the order on them pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.

However, Ikani alleged that since the order of the court was served on the chairman and the agency, they have refused and failed to comply fully with the order, instead chose to be selective in which of the orders they would obey as they have refused to afford him the benefits that he is entitled to by virtue of his office, in total disregard of the order of the court.

Ikani averred further that on 4 February, 2011, a notification of special promotion served on his command conspicuously omitted his name despite the fact that he was the most senior officer of the agency from his own geographical zone of his area. Consequent upon this, he complained about the omission and urged the chairman to promote him but despite the receipt of his letter, the anomaly was not rectified.

He further contended that his due and deserved promotion is part of appurtenances of his office that the court had ordered restored to him. Consequently, there is no reason for the chairman and the agency not to promote him except for something trumped up by the chairman and the agency. Therefore it will be in the interest of justice that the chairman and the anti drug agency be committed for contempt unless they speedily purge themselves of their infamous contemptuous acts.