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Summary
After 3 days of unlawful detention at Dutse police station in Abuja for “insulting a court bailiff,” 16-year-old Deborah was released from custody. Several Nigerians outrage including the efforts of D.N Foundation facilitated the release.
Nigerian Police Force at Dutse Police Station, Abuja, detained a 16-year-old girl, Deborah Oshinowo, for three days following a verbal exchange with a court bailiff.
The Dorothy Njemanze Foundation (D.N Foundation), a women’s rights organisation overseeing the minor’s release, detailed the incident to Naija Feminists Media (NFM). They disclosed that the incident arose from a rent dispute between Deborah’s mother and the landlord. The mother had recently paid a rent increase, only to face further demands for an additional increment. The landlord took the matter to court and sent a bailiff to deliver the summons.
Upon arrival at their residence on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, Deborah’s illiterate mother requested that the bailiff read the letter’s content aloud. The bailiff refused and violently flung the letter at her, striking her in the eye, before walking away. Witnessing the scene, Deborah called out to the retreating bailiff, saying, “How can you fling a letter at someone old enough to be your mother?”
A day later, on October 16, 2024, the bailiff returned, accompanied by a plain-clothed police officer, claiming the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Kubwa Phase 4 police station wanted to speak with Deborah. Although her mother initially resisted, she eventually accompanied her daughter to the police station.
Upon arrival, Deborah was arrested and placed in a cell without a warrant or formal charges. The bailiff alleged that Deborah had not only insulted him verbally but also assaulted him physically—an accusation that was later proven to be false, as there had been no physical contact between them.
It was reported that efforts by Deborah’s family to see her were repeatedly blocked by the police. Her mother, who suffers from kidney issues, spent the night outside the police station, unable to take her medication or provide food for her daughter.
As such, the family contacted the D.N. Foundation. The NGO demanded Deborah’s release on bail. However, they reported that the DPO, citing “orders from above,” said she was to be kept in custody.
On October 17, Deborah was arraigned in a local magistrate court without legal representation. Although the bailiff admitted that the alleged “assault” had only been verbal, the court Magistrate sentenced Deborah to remain in detention at the Suleja Custodial Centre until Tuesday, October 22, without addressing the fact that there was no proof of alleged assault or the fact that the bailiff had changed his claims from physical assault to verbal assault.
Upon her arrival at the Suleja Custodial Centre, she was rejected on account of her being a minor, after which she was returned to Dutse Police Station, where she was to be detained for six days. Concerns have mounted over her safety, particularly in light of previous reports of sexual abuse against women and minors in police custody.
The case has sparked a wave of protests on social media, with Nigerians using the hashtag #FreeDeborahOshinowo to call for her immediate release. X (formerly Twitter) users have condemned the authorities for violating Deborah’s rights and disregarding the Child Rights Act.
“Someone’s super mum/dad is involved in this horrendous act and a total abuse of power. Literally, anything can happen to that child in police custody between now and Monday. What kind of nonsense is this? #FreeDeborahOshinowo,” tweeted @chiamakanwaiwu_.
A viral video showing Deborah’s mother collapsing in despair after being told her daughter would be held until Monday has currently amassed over 63,000 views, adding fuel to the growing public outrage.
“Monday after six days in detention already. This is abuse of power, police brutality and child abuse all rolled into one huge crime against this girl. Nigerians, please lend voices. This is injustice #EndPoliceBrutality,” tweeted @Aderinsola_AA.
However, in response to the public outrage, the Police Public Relations Officer for the Commissioner of Police, FCT Abuja, in person of SP Josephine Adeh, ANIPR, stated that Deborah assaulted the court bailiff.
“We would like to clarify that on 16th October 2024, the Senior Magistrate Court in Dutse Alhaji issued a court order for delivery to the residence of Ann Fornchor, located on Henry Nweke Street, Gberango Layout in Kubwa. During this process, court staff were confronted and assaulted by Deborah Fornchor,” she tweeted.
She also confirmed that Deborah was indeed arrested and is currently in custody at the court’s directives while maintaining that “all actions taken were in strict compliance with legal procedures and court directives.”
Ogri Caro-Ann Aricha, the Communications Officer for the D.N. Foundation, has mentioned that the Organisation is doing its best to secure Deborah’s release, as it was not right that she was being held.
“As of now, she won’t be granted bail until Monday unless we can get help for her. We are trying our best to do that. We have been on calls and in meetings all day to do something about this injustice,” she told NFM.
The NGO successfully secured bail for the minor on Friday, October 18, 2024.
Editor’s Note: This post was updated to add the Police account in the 14th paragraph.
