Former American cop sues ex-IGP Abubakar, others

Nigeria-born former United States police officer, Maisule Kurugu has sued former Inspector General of Police, M.D. Abubakar and six others before an FCT High Court over alleged illegal detention. Kurugu, who retired from the Texas State Police, is seeking the sum of N500 million in damages against ex-IGP Abubakar, serving IGP Ibrahim Idris, Mrs Augusta […]

Nigeria-born former United States police officer, Maisule Kurugu has sued former Inspector General of Police, M.D. Abubakar and six others before an FCT High Court over alleged illegal detention.

Kurugu, who retired from the Texas State Police, is seeking the sum of N500 million in damages against ex-IGP Abubakar, serving IGP Ibrahim Idris, Mrs Augusta Osagie, a business woman; Ibrahim Bello Sada, a DSS official; C.S.P. Onuoha Emeka, a Chief Superintendent of Police and DPO of Airport Police Station; Inspector Vincent Agyo, and the Nigerian Police.

In the fundamental rights enforcement application by his lawyer, Barr Francis Mgbo, Kurugu, who is the chairman of Global Security and Equipment Ltd, is also asking the court to compel the police to issue a public apology in three national newspapers over his arrest and detention.

The application followed the arrest and detention of Kurugu for six days at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja on January 11, 2017 and the alleged seizure of his international passport and luggage on his arrival.

In the affidavit attached to the application, the applicant avers that he was harassed, tortured, and restricted from proceeding on his journey which is a violation of his fundamental right as enshrined in sections 33, 34, 35, 36, 38, 41, 42 and 46 of the 1999 Constitution. 

Kinsmen to the applicant, Hassan Kafayos in his affidavit claimed that Abubakar, who is now the chief executive officer of Brain and Braces Ltd and Osagie planned his arrest without any offence.