School Teacher In Police Photograph Case Joined By Supporters In Lagos State Court; Court Fixes Hearing For February 2014

Mr. Abragandu Kan Nanya Aminu

Police charges

The Principal and staff from Supreme Education Foundation Schools were in Lagos State Magistrate Court today to support Mr. Abragandu Kan Nanya Aminu, accused by police of taking a photograph of a traffic warden.

Mr. Aminu is accused of photographing traffic warden inspector, Okpanachi Godwin, when he had positioned himself in front of a commercial bus to stop it moving on the Ikosi Junction of Ketu, Lagos State on November 19. 
A source said it looked like the warden was trying to extort the bus driver and as such was fearful that the photo will make it to the internet as several others that led to summary dismissal of police officers in recent time.
Police officers objected to the photograph, seized Aminu's mobile phone, arrested him and took him to prison where he was tortured.  Human rights groups petitioned the police for Aminu's release.
Police have charged Mr. Aminu of unlawful assault of a police officer, resisting and obstructing police officers in their duty, and breaching public peace.
Mr. Aminu told SaharaReporters he took the photograph to show to his students as an example of wrongful conduct for students in the School's traffic monitoring club.
His supporters told SaharaReporters Aminu wasn't taking the photograph for mischievous purposes despite the police having a reputation in Nigeria for extortion.
Lagos State Magistrates Court set the hearing for February 24th and 25th, 2014.