GROUP PETITIONS BENUE POLICE COMMISSIONER OVER DEATH OF SUSPECT IN POLICE CUSTODY


The Commissioner of Police,
Benue State Command,
Makurdi,
Benue State.

Sir,

UNLAWFUL ARREST, TORTURE ANDDETENTION OF SAMUEL CHIMEZIE OMEAGWA AND EKENE CHINWENSI

We as Concerned Social Media Activistswish to bring to your notice the case of an unlawful arrest, torture and detention of one Samuel ChimezieOmeagwa andEkeneChinwensi.

We independently verified the incidence which invariably led to the death of SamuelChimezieOmeagwaand the circumstances surrounding his death. We therefore wish to submit as follows;

1.            That on Saturday the 14th of May, 2016 EkeneChinwensi and his friend Samuel Omeagwa (deceased) went out at about 7:00pm to take oranges at the Anglican Church Junction, High-Level, Makurdi. 

2.            That after taking the oranges, they were making their way back home, when Ekene Chinwensi discovered that his handset was not with him, apparently  assuming they might have forgotten the phone where they were chatting and taking oranges, decided to head back to the junction.

3.            That on reaching the spot where they bought oranges and took, they inquired if any one had seen their phone, but got no response.

4.            That at this juncture, EkeneChinwensi decided to call his line, using his friend Samuel’s (deceased) phone and immediately the phone rang inside the pocket of one of the boys around named Shagba

5.            That as Ekene approached Shagbato retrieve his phone, Shagba ran leaving his friend behind who was accosted by Ekene&Samuel demanding him to provide the whereabouts of Shagba.

6.            That upon failure to provide possible leads to Shagba, the agitated Ekene got physical with Shagba’sFriend.

7.            That where-upon Shagba’s Friend, in the course of the scuffle sustained mouth injuries.

8.            That passers-by intervened in the matter and advised that Shagba’s Friend who sustained injuries should be treated by Ekene&Samuel (deceased).
 
9.            That it was in the process of giving medication to Shagba’s Friend that Shagba who was suspected to have stolen the phone appeared with Police Officers of the Thunder Zone 4 and pointed at Ekene and Samuel (deceased) saying, “ogana them bi this”. 

10.         That immediately, they were whisked away without questioning to POLICE THUNDER ZONE 4 OFFICE, Near Gordon PlazaHotel,Old G.R.A,Makurdi.

11.         That at the station, they were kept without questioning till late into the night, when they were brought out and laid on a bare floor with a flash-light permanently to their faces.

12.         That they received a systematic session of torture from the Police Officers led by one Sunday Adanu, reputed for his brutality with the nickname UNDERTAKER. 

13.         That afterwards, they were taken back to the cell when Ekene noticed the abnormal behavior of his friend Samuel,who was no longer speaking in a coherent manner and shortlyafter wards urinated and defecated in his boxers.

14.         That Ekenedrew the attention of the police whom, at first, made jest of him but when they realized it was getting serious, inquired to get Samuel’s family contacted.

15.         That wherein,Samuel’s parent were called to bail their son on a Sunday as against the rules and regulations of the Nigeria Police Force.

16.         That upon release, Samuel could hardly stand on his own, as such was rushed to a private hospital but with the seriousness of his case, was referred to the Federal Medical Centre, Apir where he died on Wednesday 18th May, 2016.

17.         That Ekene was released on bail,Monday 16thMay, 2016 after paying the sum of N3000 (Three Thousand Naira).

18.         That EkeneChinwensi the surviving victim visited the station the second day as was required of his bail.

19.         That at the station, he complained of the pains from the torture and the death of his friend as a result of the torture they received.

20.         That one officer who was among the officers who tortured them threatened that “if he doesn’t leave the story, he will never live to tell the story”.

From the foregoing, we wish to briefly inform you that SamuelChimezieOmeagwa was a 400 level student of University of Agriculture, Makurdi, he was known to be very hardworking, humble and respectful, a very dedicated member of his church and also of the Man ‘O’ War. He has no criminal record, as his character could be attested by his neighbors, whom they have known very well, right from birth.

On the other hand,EkeneChinwensihas been attested to be a very hardworking young man. He operates a welding/Iron bending workshop at No. 15, Vandeikya Street, High-Level,Makurdiour findings also reveal that,Ekenehas no criminal record as you may also confirm from Police records.

We therefore wish to raise the following questions:
1.            For what crime were the duo arrested and what were the findings of the investigation?
2.            Is torture allowed under the Act establishing the Nigeria Police Force or anywhere under the Nigeria constitution?
3.            If they were found wanting, were they charged to court?
4.            Doesthe police give bail on Sunday?
5.            Is it permitted under the Code of Conduct of the Nigeria Police Force, that an officer should issue threats to people at will?

We therefore, owing to the above, make the following demands:

1.            An immediate disciplinary action be taken against all the PoliceOfficers involved in this act, especially against the brutal and unprofessional deeds ofSunday Adanu(Undertaker).
2.            That a compensation be made to both families, who suffer the pangs of their son’s death as well as the surviving victim EkeneChinwensi.
3.            That Nigeria Police Force tenders a publicapology to both families involved.

We are convinced in these demands,as they would enhance the new image of the police and particularly, the Benue State Command and equally go far in establishing the giant strides you have taken in protection of the innocent since your assumption of office in Benue State.

We await your invitation for amicable resolution of the above raised issues.

Thank you


UkanKurugh
0806 908 2285, 0705 714 7780
For and onbehalf of Concerned Citizens

cc:
Inspector General of Police
Police Service Commission
National Human Rights Commission 
Public Complaints Commission
Lawyers Alert
Brekete Family
I.S. Vongjen& Co
Chairman, House Committee on Public Petitions & Complains

CKN NEWS

Chris Kehinde Nwandu is the Editor In Chief of CKNNEWS || He is a Law graduate and an Alumnus of Lagos State University, Lead City University Ibadan and Nigerian Institute Of Journalism || With over 2 decades practice in Journalism, PR and Advertising, he is a member of several Professional bodies within and outside Nigeria || Member: Institute Of Chartered Arbitrators ( UK ) || Member : Institute of Chartered Mediators And Conciliation || Member : Nigerian Institute Of Public Relations || Member : Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria || Fellow : Institute of Personality Development And Customer Relationship Management || Member and Chairman Board Of Trustees: Guild Of Professional Bloggers of Nigeria

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