Awaiting Trial inmate in Prison
Awaiting Trial inmate in Prison
Court Sends Runsewe To Prison for Contempt
The Director-General of the National Council for Arts and
Culture (NCAC), Olusegun Runsewe has been sentenced to prison by
Justice Jude Okeke of the High Court of the Federal Capital
Territory (FCT) for contempt of court.
Justice Okeke made the order on Thursday while ruling on a
motion drawn from a suit filed by Ummakalif Limited against the
Minister of the FCT; Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA);
DG of NCAC, and the Minister for Culture and Tourism, as the first,
second, third and fourth defendants respectively.
In the motion, the claimant sought an order of the court
committing Runsewe to prison for contempt of court order made on
December 15, 2017.
Justice Okeke described Runsewe’s action as highly contemptuous,
adding that committing him to the custody of the Nigerian
Correctional Services (NCS) would serve as a deterrent to others
who abuse office and disobey court orders with disdain.
He ordered the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to arrest
Runsewe with immediate effect and hand him over to the NCS pending
when he retraces his steps.
The court had ordered parties in the suit to stay proceedings on
every activity concerning the demolition of the Arts and Craft
village located in the Central Business District area of the
FCT.
However, the respondents in the suit, particularly the NCAC
flouted that rule.