A High Court in Kano, led by Justice Sunusi Ado Ma’aji, has issued an interim order preventing the Inspector General of Police and other authorities from inviting, arresting, or harassing Muhuyi Magaji Rimingado, the Chairman of the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission.
The plaintiffs in this case are the Kano State Attorney General, the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission, and Rimingado himself.
The defendants include the Nigeria Police Force, the Inspector General of Police, the Assistant Inspector General of Police Zone One, the Kano State Commissioner of Police, ASP Ahmed Bello, and Bala Muhammad Inuwa.
The court’s order, which was granted today, prohibits the defendants and their agents from taking any actions that could infringe upon the rights of the second and third plaintiffs.
In the ruling, Justice Ma’aji said: “The defendants/respondents, either by themselves, their agents, officers, privies, representatives, or assigns, are hereby restrained from inviting, arresting, detaining, or harassing the officers of the second plaintiff/applicant or interfering with the rights of the second and third plaintiffs/applicants generally.”
Additionally, the court has restrained the police from requiring Rimingado to appear at any police office, including their headquarters in Abuja, on January 27, 2025, or any later date, until the motion on notice is resolved.
Speaking on the issue, the Nigeria Police Force denied Rimingado’s claims of being arrested, labeling the allegations as misleading.
In a statement from Force Public Relations Officer ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the police clarified that Rimingado was merely invited to discuss a petition filed against him.
The statement read: “The Nigeria Police Force acknowledges the recent claims made by Mr. Muhuyi Magaji Rimingado, the Chairman of the Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission, regarding his alleged arrest. We clarify that Mr. Rimingado was not arrested; he was invited by the Force concerning a petition received against him.
“On January 17, 2025, the Inspector-General of Police Monitoring Unit received a petition against Mr. Muhuyi. Following standard investigative procedures, he was invited to engage with police officials as part of due process. Given his position as a public servant, it is expected that Mr. Muhuyi cooperates with the police to facilitate a thorough investigation, rather than seeking media attention.
“Claims that Mr. Rimingado was arrested are unfounded and misleading. We urge the media and the public to refrain from spreading misinformation that may cause unnecessary alarm or confusion. The Force is committed to upholding the rule of law and adhering to due process in all investigations.”
The case has been adjourned pending further proceedings on the motion on notice.
