The Assistant Inspector-General of Police for the Zone II Command Headquarters in Lagos, Abdulmajid Ali, on Saturday said the case files of a man alleged to have named his dog ‘Buhari’ should be transferred to his desk with immediate effect.
“For now, the AIG Zone II has called for a meeting that we want to call the parties involved in the matter to see how the matter could be resolved,” Ogun State police spokesman, Abimbola Oyeyemi, told Premium Times.
Joe Chinakwe, 30, was arrested and confined to a police cell in Sango Otta, Ogun State, for three days last week after a neighbour complained that he named his dog ‘Buhari,’ the Vanguard reported.
The neighbour, who police identified as Halilu Umar from Sokoto State, reportedly told the police that Mr. Chinakwe’s decision was aimed at spiting and ridiculing his father who also happened to be named ‘Alhaji Buhari.’
Mr. Chinakwe, a trader, was immediately arrested and detained for three days without bail, the Vanguard reported.
The paper quoted police sources as saying that Mr. Chinakwe’s action was “very provocative” and capable of stocking ethno-religious tensions in the country, allegations Mr. Chinakwe reportedly denied.
Mr. Chinakwe said he named his dog ‘Buhari’ out of personal affection he had for President Muhammadu Buhari.
After a brief freedom he was granted by the police, Mr. Chinakwe was again rearrested on Friday.
Police said they rearrested Mr. Chinakwe ahead of his arraignment before a Magistrate’s Court on Monday as well as to guarantee his safety, having been allegedly threatened by neighbours.
Mr. Oyeyemi said since Mr. Ali had expressed his interest in the case and wanted to broker a peace amongst the parties involved, Mr. Chinakwe might not be charged to court again on Monday.
“The matter may likely not go to court again on Monday,” Mr. Oyeyemi said.
