A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Terkaa Aondo, has called on President Bola Tinubu to address the alleged interference of the Police Service Commission (PSC) Chairman, Hashimu Salihu Argungu, in a court judgment.
In a letter dated January 29, 2025, Aondo accused Argungu, a retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police, of unlawfully meddling in the enforcement of a judgment issued by a competent court regarding a land dispute in Abuja.
The legal case (Suit No. FCT/HC/CV/330/2018) involved Alhaji Usman Sarahi, who challenged the revocation of his right to a property (Plot 1798, Wuse District, Abuja) without proper notice, violating the Land Use Act. The court ruled in his favor, declaring the revocation null and void.
The judgment was enforced on December 19, 2024, leading to the eviction of illegal occupants.
However, on December 25, 2024, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar allegedly forced his way back onto the property with the help of armed men, disregarding the court order. The illegal occupants were later removed again on January 14, 2025.
Reports claim that Yahaya paid ₦700,000 to a court staff to delay further evictions. His lawyer, Barrister Sani Abass, stated that the payment was made in error and later reversed.
Meanwhile, Yahaya filed a fresh suit (Suit No. FCT/HC/CV/5699/2024) seeking to stop construction work on the land.
The PSC chairman reportedly set up a panel to investigate the case, despite it being a civil court matter. The panel summoned Sarahi and questioned him about the judgment.
On January 27, 2025, the PSC chairman allegedly ordered a site visit, deploying police and armored vehicles, raising concerns of intimidation.
SAN Aondo urged President Tinubu to intervene, stating that the PSC chairman’s actions go against the rule of law.
He emphasized that only the courts should handle legal disputes, and no government official should interfere.
PSC spokesperson Ikechukwu Ani denied knowledge of any such panel, stating, “To the best of my knowledge, I’m not aware of such a panel.”
This case has sparked debate on judicial independence and government interference in legal matters. Observers are now waiting to see how the President will respond.
