Husband to sue NSCDC for unlawful arrest of wife over fuel found in his well

The landlord of 30, Animatu Ilo Street, Ejigbo, Lagos State, has threatened to take legal action against the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps for what he called, the unlawful arrest of his wife, Funke Ogunba, on August 23, 2013.
PUNCH Metro had reported on Monday that eight residents, including Funke, were arrested by the corps after petrol was found in wells in their compounds.
However, Funke's husband, Adebanji, told PUNCH Metro that the allegations were baseless.

Adebanji described the incident as overzealousness on the part of the NSCDC, adding that he would take legal action against them.

He said, "On August 9, 2013, my pumping machine got damaged and when I attempted to get it repaired, I discovered there was petrol inside the well. The following day, I went to the Ejigbo Police Station to report the matter and the policemen took me to the General Manager, Ejigbo Depot, one Mr. Balogun.

"On August 19 and 20, NNPC officials came to my house with trucks to siphon some of the fuel and even promised to construct another borehole for us."

Adebanji said apart from himself, some other residents had also reported to the police because a large number of wells on the street had been contaminated with fuel.

He said he was surprised to learn that NSCDC officials and men of the Nigerian Army stormed his home and arrested his pregnant wife.

He said, "I was told that on Saturday that the NSCDC officials and some soldiers came to my house. They went into my bedroom and turned the entire place upside down. They vandalised my property and then sealed my house, accusing us of being pipeline vandals.

"My three children were taken to a neighbour's house because my wife was arrested. I went to report the matter to the police and NNPC, but they told me that they were not aware of NSCDC's activities."

The father of three berated the NSCDC for not liaising with other sister agencies before breaking into his house.

He said he went to the NSCDC Lagos Command headquarters to secure his wife's bail, alleging that the officers demanded N150,000.

"My wife, who is six months pregnant, has been in their custody for over two days. Even though she has committed no crime, the NSCDC is demanding N150,000 for her release. Is it a crime to be a law-abiding citizen? I will sue them for this," he said.

Police sources at Ejigbo Division confirmed to our correspondent that Adebanji had indeed reported the matter.

-punch