Over his failure to appear in court in connection with an alleged assault case involving two NSCDC officers.
Chief Magistrate Adebayo Dupe, while ruling on Wednesday, directed the Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, to ensure the arrest of the NSCDC commandant and produce him before the court on the next adjourned date.
The order followed an application filed by the legal team of Barrister Aladodo Abdullateef Nurudeen, who allegedly suffered assault from two NSCDC officers identified as Ajayi Williams Gbolahan and Busari Babatunde.
Counsel to the complainant, Prof. D.A. Ariyo-Osu, informed the court that the NSCDC commandant failed to obey earlier court directives ordering him to produce the accused officers and personally appear before the court.
According to Ariyo-Osu, the commandant’s refusal to comply with the court’s instructions amounted to contempt and disrespect for the judicial process.
He urged the court to issue a warrant for the arrest of the NSCDC boss for allegedly ignoring lawful court orders.
In response, counsel representing the NSCDC officers, A. Imam, told the court that the command had already petitioned the office of the Kwara State Chief Judge seeking a reassignment of the case.
Imam explained that the request was made because the command allegedly lost confidence in the court handling the matter.
Delivering a brief ruling, Chief Magistrate Dupe ordered the Commissioner of Police to arrest the NSCDC commandant and ensure his appearance in court on June 10, 2026.
The case reportedly originated from a criminal complaint filed by the Nigerian Bar Association, Ilorin Branch, against the two NSCDC officers over the alleged assault of Barrister Nurudeen at the NSCDC office in Ilorin.
According to the complaint signed by the NBA secretary, Barrister Dauda Jimoh, the incident occurred on April 10, 2026, when the lawyer visited the NSCDC office to attend to a client in his professional capacity.
The complaint alleged that the officers confronted and assaulted the lawyer despite identifying himself as a legal practitioner.
It further stated that the lawyer was allegedly dragged into a room by the officers and subjected to further assault.
The NBA described the incident as an abuse of power and claimed the lawyer sustained injuries and humiliation during the attack.
The association also alleged that the NSCDC commandant was present during the incident but failed to intervene.
At a previous hearing, the prosecution informed the court that the commandant had failed to obey earlier orders directing him to produce the accused officers.
Counsel to the NSCDC had earlier apologised for the commandant’s absence, explaining that one of the accused officers allegedly absconded after disciplinary action was initiated against him, while the second officer could not be officially identified.
The matter was later adjourned for further hearing.
— Naija Street Matters
