EXCLUSIVE: Police Invade Abuja Hospital, Attempt To Arrest Critically Ill Patient Bleeding After Custody Torture, Despite Restraining Court Order

According to sources familiar with the matter, armed policemen stormed the hospital premises and insisted on arresting the patient despite being informed that a valid and binding court order had prohibited any such action.

Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force on Tuesday evening invaded a hospital in Abuja and attempted to arrest a patient receiving treatment for life-threatening injuries reportedly sustained while in police custody, in defiance of a subsisting court order restraining them from doing so.

The incident, which occurred at about 7:30 p.m. on February 17, 2026, involved one Akpa Achema Stephen, who is currently admitted as an inpatient at a private hospital in the Federal Capital Territory following severe health complications reportedly linked to his detention.

According to sources familiar with the matter, armed policemen stormed the hospital premises and insisted on arresting the patient despite being informed that a valid and binding court order had prohibited any such action.

Court documents obtained by SaharaReporters show that Stephen had secured a restraining order from the High Court of Bauchi State, Bauchi Judicial Division, prohibiting the Nigeria Police Force, the Inspector-General of Police, and other security agencies from arresting or harassing him.

The order, dated February 16, 2026, in Suit No. BA/148/2026, was granted by Justice M.M. Abubakar after hearing a motion moved by Hassan Umar Esq., counsel to the applicant.

The suit, filed by Stephen Achema Akpa as applicant, listed as respondents the Nigeria Police Force, the Inspector-General of Police, Director of the State Security Service, Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), DIG FCID, DIG FID, CP Gender, CP FCT Command, Head IGP SIU10, ACP Moses Jolugbo, SP Josephine Adeh, Igoche Mark and Emanuel.

The enrolled order reads in part: “An order directing the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th to 10th Respondents to immediately and unconditionally release the Applicant who has been in their detention for 15 days with deteriorating health despite requests for medical attention.”

The court further granted an order restraining the Respondents from arresting, harassing, detaining, or torturing the Applicant pending the hearing of the motion on notice.

Justice Abubakar also allowed the applicant to obtain urgent medical attention and fixed March 5, 2026, as the return date for hearing of the motion on notice.

However, despite the subsisting order, police operatives reportedly attempted to rearrest the patient from his hospital bed.

A medical report issued by TCL Tannjes Clinics Limited and dated February 10, 2026, confirmed that Akpa Achema Stephen, a 31-year-old male, was diagnosed with bipolar affective disorder and is also a known patient with peptic ulcer disease.

The report further stated that he was brought to the hospital from police detention with serious complaints.

Part of the medical report reads: “This is to certify that the above named is a known patient of our facility, who was recently diagnosed with bipolar affective disorder; he is also a known patient with peptic ulcer disease on treatment.”

It added: “The patient was brought in from police detention with complaint of bloody stool.”

The hospital recommended urgent psychiatric evaluation and gastroenterological investigations, including colonoscopy and endoscopy, to stabilise his deteriorating health.

The report added: “In view of the above medical conditions, we advise patient is handed over to the hospital for psychiatric evaluation and further evaluation by the Gastroenterologist for colonoscopy and Endoscopy to allow for optimal recovery and stabilization of his health. Kindly accord him all necessary assistance and consideration.”

Sources told SaharaReporters that hospital staff members informed the invading officers that the patient’s condition was critical and that removing him from the hospital could endanger his life.

However, the policemen reportedly ignored the warnings and insisted on taking him away.

A source familiar with the situation said: “The hospital staff informed the police that his health is in dire condition. But the policemen are insisting on taking him away.”

The attempted arrest created panic within the hospital, with staff members expressing concern that compliance with the police demand could worsen the patient’s already fragile state.

Human rights lawyer Marshal Abubakar, who is privy to the matter, condemned the police action and warned that any attempt to remove the patient in violation of a court order could have grave consequences.

“The right to life of the inpatient must be respected as only a person that is alive can stand trial,” he said.

He stressed that the existence of a binding court order makes any attempt to arrest or harass the patient unlawful.

“On the court order, the police are not above the law and they must respect a subsisting binding order of court,” he said.

The lawyer further warned that the leadership of the police must be held accountable should anything happen to the patient.