The Inspector-General of Police, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, and the Police Service Commission (PSC) have appealed a judgment of the Lagos State High Court, Ikeja Judicial Division, concerning the arrest, detention and declaration as wanted of Alhaji Hameed Tajudeen.
The appeal, now before the Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos, challenges the judgment delivered by Justice O.L. Alebiosu on August 7, 2026, in Suit No. ID/ADR/21447MFHR/2026.
In their Notice of Appeal, the appellants expressed dissatisfaction with the entire decision of the lower court and urged the Court of Appeal to set it aside.
A key issue raised in the appeal is the High Court’s finding that the Commissioner of Police required a court order before declaring Tajudeen wanted.
The appellants argued that the lower court had acknowledged that the authorities obtained an order from Magistrate Court No. 3, Ogba, Ikeja, Lagos, in Charge No. MIK/60A/2026, dated February 16, 2026. The order authorised the arrest and remand of the respondent for 14 days pending the conclusion of police investigations.
According to the appellants, Tajudeen’s arrest and detention were carried out in accordance with applicable laws and within constitutional exceptions relating to the protection of public safety and the prevention of crime.
They further maintained that the circumstances surrounding the case justified the actions taken by law enforcement authorities.
The police and PSC told the Court of Appeal that Tajudeen had allegedly remained unavailable to the authorities and that his eventual arrest in the Republic of Benin required the intervention of the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL).
They argued that the alleged evasion of arrest, the warrant issued against Tajudeen and the seriousness of the allegations against him were issues the lower court ought to have fully considered before granting the reliefs sought in the fundamental rights action.
The appellants also challenged the High Court’s position that a court order was required before the police could declare Tajudeen wanted.
They contended that where a person facing serious criminal allegations has allegedly fled the country and is considered a flight risk, law enforcement authorities are entitled to take lawful steps to secure the person’s arrest and, where necessary, seek international law-enforcement cooperation.
In support of their position, the appellants relied on the Supreme Court decision in Alhaji Mujahid Dokubo-Asari v. Federal Republic of Nigeria (2007) 12 NWLR (Pt. 1048) 320.
They argued that the lower court ought to have balanced the fundamental rights of an individual suspect with broader considerations of public safety and national security.
The police authorities and PSC also challenged the High Court’s grant of reliefs 1 to 5 sought by Tajudeen, arguing that the judgment did not adequately consider what they described as evidence of evasion of arrest and the seriousness of the alleged offences.
In their reliefs before the Court of Appeal, the appellants are seeking an order setting aside the judgment delivered by the Lagos State High Court on August 7, 2026.
The appeal has consequently placed the legality of the actions taken by the police authorities in the Tajudeen matter before the appellate court for further judicial determination.
The Notice of Appeal was filed by Lawlinks Legal Practitioners on behalf of the appellants, with Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Audu Augustine Enenche, listed among the counsel representing the police authorities and the Police Service Commission.