A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory sitting in Abuja has ordered the Inspector General of Police not to rearrest cryptocurrency entrepreneur Obol Jesam Michael for failing to show cause why he should not be released.......CONTINUE READING THE ARTICLE FROM THE SOURCE>>>>>
Michael was arrested over issues surrounding cryptocurrency and has since been under police detention. However, he filed an action for the enforcement of his fundamental rights.
In Suit No. FCT/HC/CV/14/2024 and Motion No. FCT/HC/8W/M/139/2025, Honourable Justice M.A. Madugu of the High Court ordered his release on February 18, 2025.
The judge also ordered the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 8th, and 9th respondents not to rearrest or detain Obol Jesam Michael without recourse to the court.
The order for his release was duly served on the Inspector General of Police and all police officers involved in the matter, but they refused to comply.
Instead of obeying the court order, sources have confirmed that the police took the entrepreneur to the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and attempted to hand him over, seemingly to frustrate the execution of the court order.
According to sources, EFCC authorities refused to take over the matter.
“They’ve made it clear to the police that they should obey the court order to release Michael,” our source revealed.
Findings indicate that Michael was moved from a detention facility in Maitama, where he had been held for the past three weeks, to another facility.
A source in the Force Intelligence Department, who requested anonymity, denied allegations that they had refused to execute the court order.
The court will hear the matter again on Monday, February 24, 2025.
