Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force on Tuesday evening reportedly stormed a private hospital in Abuja and attempted to arrest a patient receiving treatment for life-threatening injuries, allegedly in defiance of a subsisting court order restraining such action.
The incident, which occurred around 7:30 p.m. on February 17, 2026, involved Akpa Achema Stephen, who is currently hospitalised following severe health complications reportedly linked to his detention.
Sources familiar with the matter told SaharaReporters that armed policemen invaded the hospital premises and insisted on arresting the patient even after being informed that a valid court order prohibited any such move.
Court documents showed that Stephen had earlier secured a restraining order from the High Court of Bauchi State, barring the 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 his counsel, Hassan Umar.
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, and several senior police officers.
Part of the enrolled order read: “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 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 Report Details Deteriorating Health
A medical report issued by TCL Tannjes Clinics Limited and dated February 10, 2026, confirmed that the 31-year-old patient was diagnosed with bipolar affective disorder and peptic ulcer disease.
According to the report, he was brought to the hospital from police detention with serious complaints.
“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,” the report stated.
It added, “The patient was brought in from police detention with a complaint of bloody stool.”
Doctors recommended urgent psychiatric evaluation and gastroenterological investigations, including colonoscopy and endoscopy, to stabilise his condition.
“In view of the above medical conditions, we advise that the patient be handed over to the hospital for psychiatric evaluation and further evaluation by the Gastroenterologist for colonoscopy and Endoscopy to allow for optimal recovery and stabilisation of his health. Kindly accord him all necessary assistance and consideration,” the report added.
Sources said hospital workers warned the officers that removing the patient from his hospital bed could endanger his life.
However, the policemen allegedly ignored the warnings and insisted on taking him away.
“The hospital staff informed the police that his health is in dire condition. But the policemen are insisting on taking him away,” a source said.
The development reportedly created panic within the hospital, with staff expressing fears that compliance with the police demand could worsen the patient’s fragile health.
Human rights lawyer Marshal Abubakar condemned the attempted arrest, warning that any move to remove the patient in violation of a court order could have serious 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 added.
The lawyer further warned that the leadership of the police should be held accountable if anything happens to the patient.
