Arrested Kubwa Minor In Court Custody — FCT CP Disu

On Friday, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command issued a clarification following a case of an arrested minor who is allegedly being detained in its custody.

The Minor, 16, identified as Deborah Oshinowo was said to have been detained in one of the command’s sub-units in Kubwa, a satellite area of the FCT over an alleged case of “verbal assault.”

Organisations, particularly Non-Government Organisations (NGOs) whose official handles on X (formerly Twitter), detailed the circumstances surrounding her detention have accused the police of unprofessionalism.

An NGO providing support to the oppressed, including victims of gender-based violence, revealed on Thursday that “the DPO is unable to release her to us without orders from above.”

Another non-profit organisation, Hope Behind Bar Africa gave an insight into the case via its X handle.

The organisation alleged the case started on Wednesday when a bailiff allegedly visited the young girl’s home to deliver a letter regarding tenancy to her mother.

Unable to read it, the organisation added that the minor’s mother asked the bailiff to read it aloud. The bailiff was reported to have refused, allegedly ‘throwing the letter at her, hitting her in the face.’

The organisation said, “Upset by the disrespect shown to her mother, the young girl expressed her frustration, telling the bailiff it was wrong to treat an elderly woman that way. She continued to voice her displeasure as he left.

“The following day, the bailiff returned with a police officer, not in uniform, informing her mother that the girl needed to come with them to the police station, accusing her of “physically assaulting” the bailiff.

“By 10 PM, @dnfoundation was contacted for assistance at the station. When they requested bail for her, the police refused, stating the order to detain her had come from higher authorities.”

Both organisations, earlier on Friday had shared videos of the minor’s disgruntled mother demanding the release of her child.

However, clarifying what the FCT police described as “rumour”, the command said the arrest was in line with a court warrant.

The statement read: “The FCT Police Command has become aware of misleading rumours circulating on social media about the alleged arrest and unlawful detention of a minor by officers from the Kubwa Police Division.

“We would like to clarify that on 16th October 2024, the Senior Magistrate Court in Dutse Alhaji issued a court order for delivery to the residence of Ann Fornchor, located on Henry Nweke Street, Gberango Layout in Kubwa.

“During this process, court staff were confronted and assaulted by Deborah Fornchor.

“As a result of this incident, the Court authorised a warrant for the arrest of Deborah Fornchor for assaulting court personnel.

“The FCT Police acted in accordance with this court order, apprehending her and subsequently handing her over to the court authorities.

“She is currently in custody at the court’s directive, pending further proceedings.

“The FCT Police Command emphasises that all actions taken were in strict compliance with legal procedures and court directives.

“In our ongoing commitment to maintaining public safety and reducing crime in the FCT, Commissioner of Police CP Olatunji Disu, Psc encourages the community to report any suspicious activities to the following emergency numbers: 08032003913, 08028940883, 08061581938, and 07057337653. For concerns regarding police conduct, please reach out to the Police Complaint Bureau (PCB) at 09022222352 or the Complaint Response Unit (CRU) at 08107314192.”