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
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