Anambra police assess bailiffs confrontation after NBA alleges harassment

Anambra police have begun assessing a confrontation between officers and court bailiffs enforcing a court order in Awka, after the Nigerian Bar Association alleged that the officials were harassed.

The encounter involved officers attached to B Division and bailiffs executing an order of the Chief Magistrate Court, Awka. It happened on Wednesday, according to the NBA’s Anaocha branch.

Branch chairman Uzoma Dioha said in a Thursday statement that Chief Bailiff Francis Nweje told him the officials were carrying out a valid warrant when the divisional police officer arrived and directed them to stop and accompany him to the station. Premium Times reported the allegation.

Dioha alleged that the officer called reinforcements after the bailiffs explained their assignment, and that the court officials were then intimidated. The branch asked the state police commissioner to investigate, hold any culpable officers accountable, protect bailiffs and issue an institutional apology.

Police spokesperson Tochukwu Ikenga gave a different account. He said preliminary information indicated that officers were responding to a distress call about unidentified people and a disturbance at the premises.

Ikenga said officers found people evicting occupants and removing property, asked for identification and had a disagreement with those present. He said they subsequently identified themselves as bailiffs.

According to Ikenga, the division had not previously been asked to provide security for the exercise. He said the officers advised the bailiffs on requesting police support and withdrew after learning they were acting under a court order.

The spokesperson said a circulating video showed only part of the encounter. The command has engaged the parties to establish the full facts and said it would communicate further developments after the assessment.

Sources: Punch, Premium Times