Court adjourns Akoh’s trial indefinitely, berates police over sealed Peace Corps HQ

A federal high court in Abuja has indefinitely adjourned the trial of the Dickson Akoh, commandant of Peace Corps of Nigeria.

Akoh is standing trial for an amended 13-count criminal charge brought against him by the Nigeria police force.

At its sitting on Tuesday, John Tsoho, the presiding judge, said the indefinite adjournment was because of the police’ refusal to obey its previous ruling on the matter.

In November, the court ordered the police to unseal the headquarters of the corps which had been cordoned off since February 2017.

But the building is still under seal by the police despite the court ruling.

This prompted Akoh to file an application at the court — through John Ochogwu, his counsel — seeking the stoppage of the trial pending when the police obeyed the court’s ruling.

The judge said by virtue of being an institution established by law, the police must not be seen to be disregarding court orders and judgments.

The court also held that the police acted unconstitutionally by sealing off the Peace Corps headquarters without giving Akoh the opportunity to prove his innocence in the charges against him.

“This court is swayed by the argument of counsel to the applicant/defendant in his reply on point of law that the police had flouted a valid order made by the court,” Tsoho said.

“If the police truly deserves adherenace to or compliance with the law, it should first show good example by respecting the law.”

A house of reps panel had also ordered the police to vacate the organisation’s headquarters.