By Olusegun Lawrence For disobeying a court order, Justice Valentine Ashi of an Abuja High Court Wednesday ordered the Nigeria Police and the Customs to confiscate a newly launched book, ‘My Watch’ by former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
The Judge had last week ordered the former President not to release the book yet pending the determination of the suit before the court.
The order was sequel to a libel suit brought before it by a chieftain of PDP, Buruji Kashamu, who alleged that Obasanjo addressed him as ex-convict in the letter he wrote to President Goodluck Jonathan titled: “Before it is too late.”
Justice Ashi said, “I am of the view that the defendant having gone ahead to publish the book, he should therefore show cause within 21 days of the order served on him on why he should not be punished for contempt of court.
“The Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of State Security Services and the Controller General of Nigeria Customs Services are hereby directed to recover the book from sales vendors.”
The presiding Judge also directed that the book should be kept with the registrar of the court pending the determination of the suit.
Realwan Okpanachi, counsel to Obasanjo had informed the court the book had been in circulation prior to December 5 when the Judge gave the order.
