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A Coalition of Civil Society Organization and Humanrights Lawyers in Rivers State have raised alarm over an alleged shoddy manner the Rivers State Police Command is handling the investigation, arrest and prosecution of officers glaringly indicted for extreme torture of Ikokwu 5 leading to the death of Chima Ikwunado.
On score, they are calling on the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris to redeploy the Commissioner of Police, CP Mustapha Dandaura for his refusal to arrest and prosecute SP Benson Adetuyi, Commander of E-Crack Squad for lying that the late Chima Ikwunado only died of high blood sugar based on a non-existent autopsy report.
A Communique read by Enefaa Georgewill, Chairman Rivers Civil Society Organization, on behalf of Higher King of Higher King Rights Foundation, Eugene Abel of Extra Step Initiative, Kofi Bartels on behalf of Residents of the state, Mazi Onwuma Fidelis, Ohaneze Indigbo, Courage Nsirimovu of the Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law, lHRHL and Emma Okpala, Association of Igbo Lawyers said the failure of the Police to do the needful as a result of the revelation of the Autopsy conducted on the 10th of February, 2020, on the body of Late Chima Ikwunado, and witnessed by all stakeholders, it became clear that Late Chima Ikwunado died of extreme Police torture and brutality for which there is no justification and defence whatsoever.
They pointed out that despite the alarming and embarrassing exposure as stated above, the Commissioner of Police has refused to address the state to rebuild the confidence of the general public on the Police despite several calls from critical stakeholders.
CP Mustapha Dandaura is yet to arrest and detain the E-Crack commander for complicity rather he was merely was redeployed to the head quarters.
The rights group also complained that the arrested Police officers are yet to be paraded and their full names displayed for confirmation.
The names of Sergeant Rose the alleged fondler of male organs if suspects in custody and Mr. Sam Nnodim who names are constantly mentioned by victims of torture are missing in the list of arrested officers making the rounds in the public space there are attempts to shield them from prosecution.
They reminded IGP Muhammad Adamu and Police Service Commission that Section34(1) states that “every individual is entitled to respect for the dignity of his person, and accordingly, (a) no person shall he subjected to torture or to inhuman or degrading treatment.
On torture, the Rights group therefore ask the Police; which sentence of Court were they executing when they tortured the “Five Ikokwu boys” they arrested on the 19th December, 2019, which led to grievous bodily injury of all of them, and which led to the death of Mr. Chima Ikwunado and the Police also attempted to murder Mr. Ifeanyi Onyekwere who they inflicted so much bodily injury and is undergoing treatment ever since he was released then till date; and Mr. Victor Ogbonna who they inflicted internal injury that produces blood whenever he coughs.
They further stated under the Anti-Torture Act 2017 criminalizes all acts of torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatments of human beings. And relying on the provisions of the Anti-Torture Act call on the Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Police Command, to produce the commander of the “Eagle crack Squad” or “E- crack Team” for thorough investigation, as he cannot escape the crime committed by the members of the Team he commanded to torture and kill innocent suspects in this matter.
“We are saying that the redeployment of the Unit Commander of the “E- Crack Team” elsewhere is an act of cover up, as the commander is as culpable as the members of the team in this matter.”
They challenge CP Dandaura to show that the case to be filed in Court for the trial of the “E-crack team” should be Murder of Chima Ikwunado, attempted murder of Mr. Ifeanyi Onyekwere and Torture of Mr. Victor Ogbonna. Others include: the Torture of Mr. Osaze Friday and Torture of Mr. Ifeanyi Osuji.
They called a on the Police Service Commission of Nigeria to terminate the employment of the members of the “Eagle Crack Team” and dissolve the entire unit and prosecute such persons for they acted ultra vires the powers given to them by the Police Act.
They called on the Police Service Commission to pay for the medical bills of the victims of the Police brutality in this matter, and pay them adequate compensation for the violation of their Fundamental Humanrights.
The Inspector General of Police to redeploy the Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Command on the following grounds: The E-crack unit is the Commissioner of Police tactical unit and they are answerable to him and the body language does not favour a neutral prosecution of this matter. They expressed worry this not the first time SP Benson is lying to the general public without any action by the Commissioner for Police as confirmed by the PPRO Rivers State, DSP Nnamdi Omoni.
They also called on the Police PPRO to resign on grounds of his unprofessionalism and sending out information without verification.
The Rights group equally demanded that erring police officers beginning from SP Benson should be paraded, their full names made public and prosecution commence without delay.
They called on the Police return the properties of the Ikokwu 5 collected from them upon their illegal arrest.