Businessman Sues Inspector General of Police Over False Wanted Declaration

Businessman Musa Saliu has taken legal action against the Inspector General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, for falsely declaring him wanted in connection to a land dispute. The lawsuit was filed on Friday, June 14, 2024, and documents were obtained by our correspondent on Sunday.

Saliu, represented by lawyer Femi Motojesi, is asking the Federal High Court in Abuja to rule that the police’s publication of his photo and name as a wanted person, referenced in the Special Police Gazette bulletin (Ref No: CB: 3510/LX/FHQ/SEB/ABJ/T.7/Vo. 1/20), violates his fundamental rights.

The suit, marked CV/2839/24, lists the Inspector-General of Police, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department, and Funmilola Olorunfemi as the first to third respondents respectively.

Saliu argues that the police overstepped their authority by aiding Olorunfemi, a subscriber to his estate under construction, in recovering her N25 million investment after the FCT Department of Development Control demolished the project. Saliu had informed subscribers that he was working on resolving the issue and resuming construction.

Saliu, a politician and former New Nigeria Peoples Party governorship candidate in Kogi State’s 2023 election, claims that the police’s actions, including summoning him, freezing his bank account, and declaring him wanted, infringed upon his fundamental rights. He is seeking N500 million in damages and a court order for the police to issue a public apology in the Special Police Gazette bulletin and two national newspapers.

Additionally, Saliu is requesting the court to unfreeze account number 1000129689 with Globus Bank, which belongs to his company, Emperor City Integrated Limited.

As of the time of this report, the Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, had not responded to requests for comment.