Anambra Attorney General Probes Police, Court Bailiffs’ Clash

The Anambra State Attorney General has established a committee to investigate a confrontation between police operatives and court bailiffs during the enforcement of a court order.

The incident, which occurred in Awka, the state capital, attracted public attention after a video showing the encounter circulated widely on social media.

The confrontation involved police officers attached to B Division and bailiffs carrying out an eviction and removal of property under a court order.

The Anambra State Police Command said it had begun investigating the incident to establish the circumstances surrounding the encounter. Its spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, explained that officers had initially responded to a distress call concerning unidentified persons and a reported disturbance at the premises.

According to the police, the officers requested identification from the individuals at the scene, leading to a disagreement before the individuals identified themselves as court bailiffs executing a court order.

The command also stated that preliminary information indicated that the police division had not been approached for security assistance before the enforcement exercise began. It said the officers subsequently advised the bailiffs on the procedure for requesting police support and withdrew from the scene.

The police maintained that the circulating video captured only part of the incident and urged the public to avoid drawing conclusions before the investigation was completed.

The incident has raised concerns about the relationship between law enforcement agencies and court officials, particularly during the execution of judicial orders.

The Attorney General’s committee is expected to examine the circumstances of the confrontation and establish the facts surrounding the conduct of the parties involved.

The investigation comes amid calls for accountability and safeguards to ensure that lawful court orders are enforced without unnecessary confrontation or interference with judicial processes.