The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Attorney-General of the Federation, AGF, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP, and the Nigeria Police Force to grant Adeniyi Adeyemi unrestricted access to lawyers of his choice while he remains in custody.
Justice Obiora Egwuatu issued the order on Thursday while ruling on an ex parte application filed as part of a fundamental rights enforcement suit brought by Adeyemi through his lawyer, M.B. Abdulazeez.
Adeyemi is linked to allegations surrounding the purported fake Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, PFIPC, a matter that has led to his detention and earlier declaration as wanted.
In his ruling, Justice Egwuatu directed the authorities to ensure that Adeyemi has access to legal practitioners of his choosing at all reasonable hours for as long as he remains in custody.
The order means that Adeyemi’s lawyers should be able to meet and consult with him without unnecessary restrictions while the authorities continue with the case.
The court’s directive followed an application by Adeyemi seeking the enforcement of what his legal team described as his fundamental rights.
Apart from access to lawyers, Adeyemi had asked the court to grant several other reliefs. His legal team sought an order for his release from detention, bail and access to medical treatment from healthcare practitioners of his choice.
The lawyers also asked the court to restrain the respondents, including their officers and agents, from interrogating Adeyemi or compelling him to make, adopt or sign any statement without a lawyer of his choice being present.
The requests formed part of the broader fundamental rights enforcement action filed before the Federal High Court.
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While Justice Egwuatu granted the request concerning access to legal representation, he declined to grant the other reliefs at the ex parte stage.
The judge held that the respondents should first be given an opportunity to respond to the allegations and applications before the remaining orders could be considered.
The court consequently directed the AGF and the police to show cause within 72 hours why the other reliefs sought by Adeyemi should not be granted.
The order gives the respondents an opportunity to present their position on Adeyemi’s detention, bail request, medical treatment and other demands before the court makes a decision on those issues.
Following the ruling, the matter was adjourned until September 9. The respondents are expected to appear before the court and show cause regarding the remaining reliefs sought by Adeyemi and his legal team.
Until then, the court’s order on access to legal representation remains in effect for as long as Adeyemi stays in custody.
Adeyemi had earlier been declared wanted in connection with allegations surrounding the purported PFIPC scandal.
The development subsequently resulted in legal proceedings challenging aspects of his detention and seeking judicial intervention over his rights while in custody.
The latest ruling therefore represents an interim development in the case, with the court yet to determine the other reliefs sought by Adeyemi.
The next proceedings on September 9 are expected to provide an opportunity for the police and the AGF to respond to the remaining applications before the court.
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