Home Ā» Blog Ā» Nigerian Army Defies Court Ruling, Holds 15 Cattle Dealers in Custody in Abuja for Months, Tampering with N88 Million and 341 Cows

Nigerian Army Defies Court Ruling, Holds 15 Cattle Dealers in Custody in Abuja for Months, Tampering with N88 Million and 341 Cows

by AkureNews
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We gathered that 12 of the men were arrested at a military checkpoint in the afternoon on May 17, 2024 on their way to purchase cows in some communities in Borno State, according to their lawyer, Barr Abdulwahab Aliyu.

The Nigerian Army is defying a court order by continuing to detain 15 cattle dealers in Abuja, despite a ruling mandating their release. The military has also reportedly seized N88 million and 341 cattle from the businessmen.

According to NAFreporter, the cattle dealers were arrested on May 17, 2024, at a military checkpoint while en route to Borno State to purchase cows. Their lawyer, Barrister Abdulwahab Aliyu, confirmed the arrest, stating that the men were stopped at a Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF) checkpoint between Buratai and Mirngha in the Biu Local Government Area of Borno. Although no illegal items were found, the JTF officers demanded a bribe, which the dealers refused.

This led to their detention at a military checkpoint, and eventually, they were transferred to various military facilities, including Sector Two in Damaturu and the theater command in Maiduguri.

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Despite being held in military custody for months without charges or a court appearance, the dealers were denied bail. They were subjected to physical abuse and intimidation in an effort to force them to admit involvement with terrorist groups or to abandon their money and cattle.

The men eventually sought legal help, and the Borno State High Court ruled in their favor on August 6, 2024, declaring their detention unlawful and unconstitutional.

The court ordered their release within seven days, along with the return of N88,737,200 and 341 cows, as well as damages of N10 million each for the illegal detention.

However, despite the courtā€™s ruling, the Nigerian Army ignored the judgment and failed to release the men or their property. When the army responded after several days, they claimed the case had been transferred to the Army Headquarters.

Eventually, after further legal pressure, the army indicated they would release the detainees, but delays persisted, with one officer privately admitting that the money had been tampered with.

Despite attempts to enforce the court order, including contempt proceedings against the Army, the cattle dealersā€™ property remains unreturned, and only 200 of the 341 cows were accounted for. Their lawyer has called on the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and President Bola Tinubu to intervene and investigate the matter. Petitions sent to the military high command have reportedly gone unanswered.

As of press time, Major General Nwachukwu, the Nigerian Army spokesperson, did not respond to calls or messages regarding the issue.

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