Tension In Abuja Court As Police Allegedly Move To Rearrest Businesswoman Who Accused Dave Umahi Of $Exual Harassment
Tension flared on Thursday at the Magistrate Court in Wuse Zone 2, Abuja, as armed police officers reportedly attempted to rearrest a Nigerian businesswoman, Tracyniter Nicholas Ohiri, shortly after she was granted bail.
The Genius Media Nigeria reports that Ohiri had earlier been detained following allegations of defamation against the Minister of Works, David Umahi.
The defendant was arraigned before Magistrate Ibraheem Ope, who granted her bail in the sum of ₦1 million with two sureties in like sum.
Her defence team, led by Abubakar Marshal, reportedly fulfilled the bail conditions.
However, heavily armed policemen from the FCT Command were said to have surrounded the court premises in a Hilux vehicle in an attempt to rearrest her immediately after the bail was perfected.
It was gathered that the Head of the IGP Monitoring Unit, Akin Fakorede, allegedly obtained another detention warrant to facilitate her transfer to the Keffi Correctional Centre.
The development triggered outrage among activists and supporters who had gathered at the court in solidarity with Ohiri.
They insisted she should be allowed to regain her freedom in line with the court’s pronouncement, describing the attempted rearrest as a violation of her rights.
Human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, who stood as one of her sureties, disclosed that he had contacted the Acting Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, urging him to caution officers involved in the development.
Sowore and other supporters maintained that any move to undermine the bail granted by the court would be resisted.
As of the time of filing this report, the standoff between police officers, activists and other Nigerians who thronged the court premises was ongoing.
Although no violence had been reported, tension remained high as supporters insisted they would not leave the premises until Ohiri was allowed to leave in accordance with the bail order.
