Peace Corps of Nigeria sues Police and DSS over arrest, demands N2bn compensation

The Peace Corps of Nigeria (PCN) has decided to take the power struggle brouhaha with the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) to another level by filing a N2 billion suit against the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and the Director General of the Department of State Service (DG of DSS) over the unlawful detention of Dickson Akoh, The National Commandant and 49 others last week.

Recall that the police and some DSS officials, on February 28, raided the headquarters of the security agent, arrested some PCN Boss and its officials and also paraded them before journalists.

Speaking at the press briefing, the NPF’ spokesperson, Jimoh Moshood, claimed that some terrorists have infiltrated the group.

In a suit filed by PCN’s counsel, Kanu Agabi (SAN) at the Federal High Court, Abuja, PCN described the raid of their organization's new Headquarters by a combined team of Police and the DSS last week as unlawful.

Peace Corps Office

So, on this basis, It is demanding for a sum of N2 billion as compensation for the embarrassment brought on the organisation and its Incorporated Trustees.

PCN is requesting the court to also declare as unlawful, illegal and unconstitutional the arrest of it Commandant, Akoh and other Corps members, as well as the sealing up of its Headquarters in Abuja and the other offices in the 36 States of the Federation.

Also asking the court to declare that the sealing up of the Headquarters office in Abuja is unlawful, illegal, malicious and unconstitutional, having committed no offence to warrant the unlawful invasion and seizure of properties.

PCN claims that they are entitled to Fundamental Rights to acquire and own properties, freedom of movement, lawful assembly, personal liberty and dignity of their human persons as guaranteed under sections 34, 35, 40, 41, and 43 of the 1999 constitution.

They also asked the court that the police and DSS should be issued a directive to unseal the Headquarters office in Abuja and its offices countrywide and release their seized properties during the raid.

It was reported that the case will come up for hearing today.