Breaking: Court Sends DG Arts And Culture, Runsewe To Prison

Justice Jude Okeke of High Court of the Federal Capital Territory has sentenced Olusegun Runsewe, the Director-General, National Council for Arts and Culture to prison.

Justice Okeke made the order in a ruling on a motion drawn from a suit filed by Ummakalif Limited against the Minister, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Federal Capital Development Authority, the Director-General National Council for Arts and Culture, and the Minister for Culture and Tourism, as first, second, third and fourth defendants respectively.

The motion of the claimant sought for an order of court committing Runsewe, the Director-General of the third Defendant to prison for contempt of the order of court made on the 15th December 2017.

Justice Okeke described the act of Runsewe as highly contemptuous, adding that committing him to the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Services will serve as a deterrent to others who abuse office and disobey court orders with disdain.

Justice Okeke ordered the IGP to arrest Mr Runsewe with immediate effect and hand him over to the correctional services pending when he retraces his steps.

The court had ordered parties in the suit to stay proceedings on every activity concerning the demolition of the arts and craft village located in the central business district area of the FCT.

However, the respondent in the suit particularly the national council for art and culture flaunted that rule