Police continue to detain crypto entrepreneur despite court order

The police have continued to detain a cryptocurrency entrepreneur, Obol Jesam Michael, despite the bail granted him by a law court.

A Federal Capital Territory high court presided by Justice M.A Madugu had on February 18, 2025, granted bail to Jesam Michael, following a rights enforcement suit filed by his lawyers.

The court granted the bail after the police failed to show cause why he should not be released on bail.

Accordingly, the court which ordered his release forthwith, further ordered the respondents – Nigeria Police Force, Inspector General of Police, DCP Okezie Chikezie (Anti-Fraud Section, FCID), Ezekiel Okporanefe, Stella Chinyere Onuigbo, Special Investigating Unit (SIU) and Interpol – to desist from re-arresting and detaining Michael without recourse to the court.

However, although the order releasing Michael was accordingly served on the Inspector General of Police and all police officers involved in the matter, he is yet to be released.

Instead, the police allegedly moved Jesam Michael from their detention facility in Maitama, where he had been kept for three weeks, to their facility in the former SARS headquarters in Abuja, where he is still being kept despite the order by the court that he should be released.

Michael’s lawyers allege that a highly placed police officer has refused to release his case file, even though she has been directed to hands off the matter.

Attempts to get the comments of the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, were not successful.

Michael was arrested over issues surrounding cryptocurrency and has since been under police detention. However, he filed an action for the enforcement of his fundamental rights.

In suit No. FCT/HC/CV/14/2024 and motion No. FCT/HC/8W/M/139/2025, Justice M.A. Madugu of the FCT High Court ordered his release on February 18, 2025.