Court summons Garki DPO
An Abuja Chief Magistrates’ Court has summoned the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Garki to appear before it in person to explain why the police flouted a court order concerning the presentation of an investigation report in a case of alleged criminal breach of trust.
The case was filed before the chief magistrates’ court sitting in Zone 6, Abuja, by Barrister Sylvanus Uchendu on behalf of his clients, Mr. Uche Anomine and Mr. Mustapha Muhammed, against Mr. Ali Hassan and Alhaji Kabiru.
The complainants are suing the defendants for allegedly collecting N5m from them under the pretence of selling a shop to the complainants following which the said shop was sold to another buyer who is the second defendant in the case.
When the matter came up for further mention on Monday, proceedings in the case was stalled because the the investigating police officer was not in court to present his report which is to determine whether by his findings, there is a criminal case.
The prosecutor told the court that at the beginning of the year 2017, the first defendant offered to sell a shop at No. 35 Daniel Oloika Street, Garki Model Market, Abuja, in which his client was interested for N6.3m.
Barrister Uchendu said his clients, the complainants, claimed, “We agreed to pay a deposit of N5m only on the May 4, 2017, with a written agreement to the effect that the outstanding balance of N1.3m would be paid on May 10, 2017.
“When we put call through to the first defendant concerning the payment of the outstanding balance, he told us to hold on until he returned from Kano. But when he returned from Kano he told us he had sold the said shop to the purported purchaser, who happens to be the defendant.” a
The prosecutor added that the matter was reported to the market management and the issue was resolved in favour of the complainant.
The prosecutor said it was a direct criminal complaint brought in pursuant to Section 143(D) and (E) of the Penal Code.
The Magistrate, Ubani Chukwuemeka, granted the second defendant, Ali Hassan, bail in the sum of N200, 000 and ordered the DPO to appear before it. He adjourned the case to February 15.