Former Minister of State for Education, Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi has been declared wanted by the police in Delta State over the alleged stripping of four staff of Signatious Hotel, Warri.
The police said the ex-minister was declared wanted after he failed to honour an invitation extended to him by the State Commissioner of Police, Hafiz Inuwa over the matter.
Gbagi had allegedly ordered the stripping of one male and three female staff of the hotel owned by him for stealing N5,000 belonging to the hotel.
Although some photos of the staff in their pants surfaced on social media, the ex-minister denied ordering their stripping.
He further said they were caught arguing during a sexual orgy.
According to him, the accusation against him was borne out of mischief to tarnish his image by unnamed persons afraid he could seek the governorship of the state in 2023.
However, when the police invited him for questioning, he approached the Federal High Court for an order restricting the police from invitating him.
The court presided over by Justice Taiwo Taiwo today restrained the Inspector General of Police, Commissioner of Police, Delta state, whether by themselves, their agents, employees, or by whatever name called, from threatening to arrest and detaining Gbagi pending the hearing and determination of his application for the enforcement of his fundamental human rights.
In its statement declaring the ex-minister wanted, and signed by the Delta Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Onome Onovwakpoyeya, the police said, “Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi was invited by the Commissioner of Police through the Area Commander Warri and DPO Ebrumede Division on September 25th, 2020 for questioning concerning the alleged dehumanising manner in which he ordered some of his staff be stripped naked and physically assaulted.
“Kenneth Gbagi personally and severally called and gave the excuse that he has a burial ceremony of his elder sister on Friday 25/9/2020 in which he is a key player, and asked for time to finish with the ceremony on Sunday, thereafter will report at the State Headquarters on Monday, September 28, 2020. These requests were granted on humanitarian ground.
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“On Monday, September, 28th2020, Kenneth Gbagi called the Commissioner of Police to say that he has a court case to attend to, promising to report at the Police Headquarters in Asaba by 3:00pm; again he was equally obliged.
“On the same date, the Commissioner of Police had to call him at about 5:00pm before the same Kenneth Gbagi said he was on his way to the State HQ Asaba.
“Sadly and unfortunately, Kenneth Gbagi still failed to report instead he went into the public space to disparage, blackmail and maligned the person of the Commissioner of Police and the Nigeria Police Force, Delta State Command for insisting on investigating him.
“Having failed to honour his promises, Delta state police command is left with no option than to declare Kenneth Gbagi wanted.”