A legal practitioner, Edeh Uchenna, has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Rilwan Disu, seeking his intervention in the continued detention of Godwin Francis Akpan. Akpan's detention arose from a police investigation into a dispute between his employer and another company. The lawyer stressed that the underlying matter is essentially a commercial/civil dispute.
According to the petition, dated September 24, 2026, Akpan was detained in connection with allegations of criminal conduct but had not been charged before a court. The FCT High Court in Suit No. CV/4013/26, issued on September 17, 2026, directed that Akpan be released from police custody. The lawyer urged the Nigeria Police Force to comply with the order of the FCT High Court.
The legal practitioner acknowledged that the police have legitimate powers to investigate alleged offences but argued that such powers must operate within the framework of due process, individual liberty, and respect for judicial authority. A court order is an expression of judicial authority which, until lawfully set aside, varied or stayed by a competent court, requires compliance by those concerned.
The petitioner described Akpan's detention as a situation where an individual's liberty has become collateral to a commercial disagreement. He called for immediate compliance with the FCT High Court's release order while urging that any outstanding investigative issue be pursued through lawful and transparent procedures.
The petitioner also called for the constitutional and legal rights of Akpan and other affected persons to be respected. He stated that the underlying commercial and investigative issues should be handled through appropriate legal and institutional channels. The lawyer emphasized that the petition was not seeking to prevent the police from investigating the allegations against Akpan.
According to the petitioner, investigation and due process should co-exist. The lawyer referenced the mandates of the Police Service Commission and the Public Complaints Commission, saying the former provides mechanisms for complaints concerning police conduct, while the latter deals with administrative excesses and non-adherence to procedures.
The lawyer urged the relevant institutions to use their respective offices to facilitate compliance with the court order, de-escalate the situation, and encourage an orderly resolution of the outstanding issues. The petitioner stressed that the matter goes beyond Akpan's individual case, highlighting the need for the police and other institutions to respect judicial authority and due process.
Key points
- The petitioner, Edeh Uchenna, seeks the IGP's intervention in the continued detention of Godwin Francis Akpan despite a court order for his release.
- The FCT High Court had ordered Akpan's release in a suit filed on September 17, 2026.
- The lawyer emphasized the need for the police to respect judicial authority and due process in their investigations.
