The Independent Investigative Panel on Human Rights Violations by the defunct SARS and other units of the Nigerian Police Force on Wednesday ordered the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) legal, in the Force Headquarters to appear before the panel with the case file of Mr. John Emeka Alozie.
The Chairman of the 11- Member panel, Justice Suleiman Galadima (rtd) who made this order when the panel became apparently frustrated having made five (5) previous orders in respect of getting the necessary police respondents and documents that will assist the panel to unravel the truth concerning the whereabouts of the victim, John Emeka Alozie.
In making the order, the Chairman stated that all the earlier orders made by the panel in respect of this petition still subsisted.
“The Commissioner of Police Legal owes the nation an explanation in this matter”, Justice Galadima said.
Before the new order was made, the panel had stood the petition down for 30 minutes, to enable the led Counsel to the panel, Chino Obiagwu (SAN) and Police Counsel, Kenneth Igbochua to contact the CP legal and Mr Obiazo SARS Awkuzu, Anambra State, Mr Uzo Emeana SARS, Awkuzu, Anambra State and Sunday Okpe, who are 1st, 2nd and 3rd respondents respectively in the petition.
Chino Obiagwu (SAN) thereafter
gave a report of the efforts made to contact the necessary Officers as directed by the panel.
He informed the panel that calls put across the phone line of the CP legal rang out twice and that they also made unsuccessful attempts to reach the other respondents, including ACP Asuquo who was a member of the legal team that investigated the matter.
It will be recalled that one of the panelist had expressed his dismay over what he referred to as “unprofessional conduct” on the part of the police.
John Aikpokpo Martin’s Esq. stated this when counsel to the respondents; Kenneth Igbochuwa Esq refused to cross examine the petitioner even as the matter was already slated for cross examination and defence.
In a matter which had been adjourned severally, counsel to the police, Igbochuwa Esq claimed that he did not have the facts of the matter and so could not cross examine the petitioner.
Igbochuwa who vehemently refused cross examining. Mrs. John (petitioner) told the panel ” I cannot cross examine, I don’t have facts”
Reacting, Aikpokpo Martins reminded Igbochuwa that he had not been diligent in pursuing the matter before him.
Aikpokpo further told the police counsel that he cannot just sit and expect materials relevant to his case to come to him.
The case of alleged arbitrary arrest and detention of John Emeka Alozie, by the police has suffered several setbacks owed to difficulty in locating key respondents linked to the matter.
Appreciable progress was however made when the matter came up before the panel for cross examination and defence on Thursday.
A retired police officer, G. C Ijoma, upon diligent investigation, was able to furnish the panel with useful information that will enable it handle the matter efficiently.
Ijoma Esq, provided the names, telephone numbers and current location of the officers linked to the matter.
The retired police officer also informed the panel that the case file on the arrest and detention of John Emeka Alozie was transferred from Anambra State and is now at Force CID in Abuja.
In view of the information which was made available to the panel, Justice Suleiman Galadima rtd, heading the 11- man panel, while commending the efforts of G.C Ijoma.
The matter was adjourned sine die even as the Chairman assured the Complainant and indeed all Nigerians that justice will be done in these matters.
