The Independent Investigative Panel on allegations of human rights violations by the defunct Special Anti – Robbery Squad (SARS) and other units of the Nigerian Police has cautioned the Police to stop being emotional in their defense and present certified true copies of proceedings from the National Assembly Public petition in the case of alleged extra-judicial killing of one Kennedy Yusuf, rather than trying to persuade the panel to accept its (police) oral submission.
“Mind your language, this is a panel constituted by the Federal Government of Nigeria, therefore you should mind how you conduct yourself before it and stop being emotional. The police cannot insist that the panel should accept an oral submission, you rather provide documented evidence, let the panel work with it”, Dr. Garba Tetengi SAN, who stood in for the chairman, admonished the police at Friday’s proceedings.
Dr. Tetengi gave this warning when the Police lead counsel, James Idachaba, disclosed that the petitioner Mamman Danladi DSP Rtd had gone to file the same matter before the National Assembly Public petition and had gone ahead to tell the National Assembly that though the case is before the Independent Investigative Panel, he was not satisfied with the proceedings. Idachaba also told the Panel that the petitioner’s conduct is a total abuse of process; therefore the case should be dismissed with ignominy.
However, the 11 man panel admitted into evidence some documents dated 12th July 2021, which the complainant was relying upon to prove his case against the police.
It could be recalled that Mamman Danladi in his earlier testimony before the panel pleaded that the police be ordered to compensate the family for the extrajudicial killing of his nephew, Kennedy Yusuf.
The matter has been adjourned to 22nd November 2021 for defense.
In another development, the panel also adjourned till the 25th of November, 2021 for the Police to defend a petition of alleged extra-judicial killing of one Mr. Emmanuel Awulu.
On the said date, the panel will hear the cross-examination of two witnesses, who are relations of late Emmanuel Awulu who was alleged to have been killed by the police.
Dr.Garba Tetengi adjourned the matter and directed counsel to the Complainant, James Chukwuemerie to ensure the presence of the two family members of the late Emmanuel Awulu to be cross-examined by the police.
Earlier, counsel to the Complainant informed the panel that family members of late Emmanuel Awulu, traveled to their village for a function and therefore could not be present at the panel.
Similarly, counsel to the police, James Idachaba informed the panel that the 1st respondent in the matter, Inspector Atuma Cletus of the defunct SARS traveled to Anambra for the gubernatorial election and that he would do the needful to secure his presence on the adjourned date.
Two cases were today struck out by the panel, one is the case of alleged unlawful arrest, detention, and enforced disappearance brought to the panel by one Esther Ejeh.
The case was struck out for want of diligence prosecution. However, Counsel to the Panel, Halilu Adamu informed the panel that the petitioner, Esther Ejeh had written that she was no longer interested in pursuing the matter.
The second was a petition of an alleged violation of the right to liberty and right to own property filed by one Mr. Chukwuemeka Hills Asiegbu, the case was struck out for want of diligent prosecution.
Counsel to the panel, Halilu Adamu who made an oral application asking the panel to strike out the petition observed that this is the second time both the Complainant and his counsel will be absent at the panel. He said that the counsel was reminded about the matter today yet he did not appear even though he promised to.
Counsel to the police James Idachaba raised no objection to the matter being struck out; therefore it was accordingly struck out by the panel.
