Two children of the late MKO Abiola, self-acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993, presidential election, Kassim, and Aliyu Abiola have instituted a N100 million suit against the police.
The duo sued the Lagos state commissioner of police over their arrest; and also detention in connection with a robbery incident at their family house.
Some gunmen had invaded the residence of the late MKO Abiola in Ikeja, Lagos, on September 2.
This was further confirmed by Bala Elkana, spokesman of the Lagos police command, who stated that some suspects were arrested in connection with the incident.
Mike Ozekhome, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), had filed the lawsuit on behalf of the duo.
The SAN revealed in the lawsuit that Adebisi Abiola, their stepmother, is responsible for their arrest; having accused them of being involved in the incident.
“The applicants were tortured; totally humiliated; dehumanised; and terrorised, with a crowd of people swarming the premises; to witness the ugly scene in the home of MKO Abiola, a former presidential aspirant of the Social Democratic Party,” read an affidavit filed in support of the suit.
“Also, the applicants were informed that their arrest was based on an alleged complaint; by one Mrs Adebisi Abiola, their stepmother; to the effect that a robbery incident took place in their home; that suspected armed men invaded the residence and also carted away valuables, including money.
“The applicants were forcibly dragged like common criminals; more in form of abduction than arrest as well as roughly driven to the Ikeja police station.
“They were promptly detained without any record, howsoever. They were also not given any opportunity to speak with anyone, let alone a lawyer.”
Ozekhome asked the court to order the release of Kassim as well as Aliyu as their arrest was a violation of their fundamental human right.
