Nationnewslead reports that The Independent Investigative Panel on allegations of human rights violations by the defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad and other units of the Nigerian Police has ordered the Inspector General of Police and the Commissioner of Police in Anambra State to produce two policemen named in a case of unlawful arrest and detention.
The 11-member panel, led by Justice Suleiman Galadima (retd.) made the order. on Wednesday when the two men – Mr. Obiazo and Mr. Uzo Emeana both of SARS Awkuzu, Anambra State failed on three consecutive occasions to appear before the panel as respondents in the case by John Alozie, who claimed to have been arbitrarily arrested and detained.
A statement by the Deputy Director, Public Affairs of the National Human Rights Commission, Fatimah Agwai Mohammed, quoted Justice Galadima as saying that, in view of the respondents’ failure to appear, the panel had no option than to compel their appearance.
He said the panel would 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”.
The panel Chairman said the two police personnel are necessary for the panel to unravel 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 being taken before a court.
Justice Galadima then directed the police authority to take the necessary action towards ensuring the appearance of the two respondents before the panel without further delay.
He directed the panel’s secretariat to ensure that an enrolled copy of orders is served on the respondents.
A member of the panel, John Martins, expressed concern about the unnecessary delay on the part of the police in ensuring the presence of policemen named in most of the case.
“The respondents have repeatedly failed to appear before the panel and this has not helped anyone; they are trying to frustrate us. The handwriting is on the wall,” he said.
Earlier during the panel’s sitting, the police’s lawyer, Godwin Ijeoma said he had travelled to Anambra State to ensure that the affected police officers were duly informed about the panel’s earlier summons.
Ijeoma said he did not meet Obiazo and Uzor, but that superior officers at the police station promised to assist in identifying them “which of course will have to follow due process as police is a regimented organisation.”
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