Court Orders Plateau CP to Unseal 17 LG Secretariats

An Area Court sitting in Bukuru, Jos South Local Council, Plateau State, presided over by Hon. H. Dolnaan, has ordered the Commissioner of Police (CP) to unseal the 17 local councils’ secretariats in the state.

This followed an application by the state’s Attorney-General (plaintiff) in Suit No: ACB/CV/106/2023 against the CP (respondent). Upon consideration of the ex parte motion dated July 26, 2023 and the affidavit deposed to by Moses Jackke Mallan, the Exhibit ‘A’ annexed in support of the written address prayed the court for the following reliefs: “The exercise of discretion by the court for an interim order setting aside the defendant’s directive sealing the secretariat of the 17 local councils of Plateau.

“An interim order unsealing the secretariats to allow for the immediate resumption of duties by local council staff, who have been denied access to their places of work. A further interim order of the court mandating the defendant to direct his men to immediately vacate the secretariats to allow the staff, who have been shut out from their duty posts, resume official duties without let or hindrance and allow for the smooth administration of local councils in Plateau.”

After hearing D.P. Dusu, counsel for the plaintiff, the application was granted. The court set August 7, 2023 as the return date for mention and hearing of the motion on notice.

All 17 local councils in Plateau have been sealed for weeks by the police after the suspension and subsequent sack of the chairmen by Governor Caleb Mutfwang on the advice of the immediate past 9th House of Assembly.

The police have constantly said the decision became necessary to avoid breakdown of law and order. Governor Mutfwang had appointed interim chairmen for the 17 councils, while the elected chairmen were ordered to leave.

To avert breakdown of law and order, the former Inspector General of Police (IGP) directed the CP to close all the local councils irrespective of party affiliation.