EXCLUSIVE: Police Invade Abuja Hospital, Attempt To Arrest Critically Ill Patient Bleeding After Custody Torture, Despite Restraining Court Order
Police Allegedly Attempt to Arrest Hospitalised Man Despite Court Order
February 17, 2026 | News | Exclusive
Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force on Tuesday evening reportedly stormed a private hospital in Abuja in an attempt to arrest a patient receiving treatment for serious health complications, despite a subsisting court order restraining them from doing so.
The incident occurred at about 7:30pm on February 17 and involved Akpa Achema Stephen, who is currently admitted as an inpatient in the Federal Capital Territory. Sources said he was hospitalised after developing life-threatening health issues allegedly linked to his detention.
According to individuals familiar with the situation, armed officers entered the hospital premises and insisted on arresting the patient, even after being informed of a valid court order prohibiting such action.
Court Restraining Order
Court documents show that Stephen had obtained a restraining order from the High Court of Bauchi State, Bauchi Judicial Division.
The order, dated February 16, 2026, in Suit No. BA/148/2026, was granted by Justice M.M. Abubakar following a motion moved by Hassan Umar Esq., counsel to the applicant.
The suit listed as respondents the Nigeria Police Force, the Inspector-General of Police, the Director of the State Security Service, the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and several senior police officers.
Part of the enrolled order directed the respondents to immediately and unconditionally release the applicant, who had allegedly been detained for 15 days with deteriorating health despite requests for medical attention.
The court also restrained the respondents from arresting, harassing, detaining, or torturing the applicant pending the hearing of the motion on notice, and fixed March 5, 2026, for further proceedings.
Medical Concerns
A medical report dated February 10, 2026, from TCL Tannjes Clinics Limited confirmed that the 31-year-old patient had been diagnosed with bipolar affective disorder and is also being treated for peptic ulcer disease.
The report stated that he was brought from police detention with complaints of bloody stool and recommended urgent psychiatric evaluation and gastroenterological investigations, including colonoscopy and endoscopy, to stabilise his condition.
The hospital advised that he be allowed to remain under medical supervision for proper treatment and recovery.
Alleged Attempted Rearrest
Despite the court order and medical advice, sources said police officers attempted to rearrest the patient from his hospital bed, creating panic among hospital staff.
According to one source, medical personnel warned the officers that removing the patient could endanger his life due to his fragile condition. However, the officers allegedly insisted on taking him away.
Human rights lawyer Marshal Abubakar, who is familiar with the case, condemned the reported action, warning that violating a binding court order could have serious legal consequences.
“The right to life of the inpatient must be respected, as only a person that is alive can stand trial,” he said.
He added that law enforcement agencies are bound by court orders and must comply with subsisting judicial directives.
As of the time of reporting, the police had not issued an official statement on the incident.
