ENFORCED DISSAPEARANCE: “You are Making Mockery of This Panel” – IIP-SARS Cautions the Police
By Shola Akingboye, 26 November 2021
The IIP-SARS has on Friday cautioned the Nigerian Police, accused it L making a mockery of the panel’s progress, says that it is irritating to note that the police have repeatedly failed to tell Nigerians and indeed the whole world, the whereabouts of their citizens who they officially arrested.
A member of the panel, John Aikpokpo Martins who represents the Nigerian Bar Association on the panel said, “Police are making a mockery of this panel, how can they say they do not know the whereabouts of a citizen they officially arrested in the course of their official duties”.
The panellist wondered why the victim, John Emeka Alozie, who the police arrested and openly paraded in the presence of some senior officers of the Force will now turn around and feign ignorance of the suspect’s location when he is supposed to be in their custody!
When the case was called up for continuation of hearing, police counsel, Fidelis Ogwobe informed the 11-Member panel headed by Justice Suleiman Galadima (rtd) that Godwin Ijeoma, who was handling the matter for the police has retired and that Joseph Nwadike who took over the matter is absent.
Ogwobe went further to inform the panel that before Ijeoma retired from the Force, he visited SARS office in Awkuzu where he was told that the two police officers, Mr. Obiazo and Mr Uzo Emeana who are 1st and 2nd respondents in the petition have also retired from the Force.
In his response to the police counsel’s submission before the panel, counsel to the panel, Halilu Adamu drew the attention of the panel to the fact that the petitioner, Engr. Mrs Nnenna John Alozie who is also the wife of the victim, is yet to be cross-examined by the police
However, Justice Galadima asked the Police counsel, Ogwobe if he was ready to cross-examine the petitioner which he declined saying that he was not the one assigned to handle the petition and as such did not have the materials with which to cross-examine the petitioner.
Recalls that the panel had earlier expressed frustration over the continuous refusal of two officials of defunct SARS; Mr. Obiazo and Mr. Uzo Emeana both of SARS Awkuzu, Anambra state to appear before it.”
The Justice Galadima led panel had vowed to compel their appearance, insisting it will not allow the actions of some lawless police officers to scuttle the course of justice.
“The panel is left with no choice but to order the arrest of Mr. Obiazo and Mr. Uzo Emeana both of SARS Awkuzu, Anambra state over alleged arbitrary arrest and detention of one Mr. John Emeka Alozie”.
Reinstating its commitment to its terms of reference, the panel maintains that the two police personnel are necessary parties in unravelling what actually transpired between the police and the victim, John Emeka who was alleged to have been unlawfully detained by the police for a long time without prosecution before a court of competent jurisdiction.
The case was adjourned till 2nd of December 2021
In the same vien, the panel also expressed its disgust over what he described as unprofessional attitude of the police.
John Aikpokpo Martins, also made this known while lamenting the lacklustre conduct of the police in carrying out several orders issued, compelling the appearance of key respondents in matters filed against them.
The case of alleged enforced disappearance of one Mr Morris Fater Ashwe which is before the panel has suffered setbacks, owing to the failure of counsel to the police to produce D P C Abba Kyari and IPO Makinde who are principal respondents allegedly in possession of information on the whereabout of the victim.
When the matter came up for hearing at the last adjourned date, lead counsel to the police, James Idachaba Esq cited the recent suspension of DCP Abba Kyari from office as a major challenge in getting him to appear before the 11 man panel.
Idachaba further informed the panel that IPO Makinde, also linked to the matter has been bedridden for months and so could not make any appearance.
Idachaba however appealed to the panel to make a written order to the IGP to produce institutional records relating to the matter, in addition to compeling the appearance of the respondents before the panel.
At the resumed hearing today, the panel noted with dismay that none of the orders made to the IGP was was carried out despite evidence showing that had been served.
Reacting to the abysmal conduct of the police towards the matter, an angry Justice Suleiman Galadima rtd, Chairman of the panel gave the complainant one week to serve a written address to the police counsel.
The matter was adjourned for panel’s report.
