The family of late Anita Akapson has demanded the sum of five billion naira (N5bn) as compensation for the alleged gruesome murder of their daughter by a police officer.
Mrs Esther Akapson (Mother of the deceased) who was accompanied by Senator Nnenadi Usman told the Independent Investigative Panel (IIP-SARS) on human rights violation by the defunct SARS and other units of the police that her daughter was extra judicial killed by on DSP Godwin
In her petition before the panel, Mrs. Akapson narrated how on October 13, 2018, she received a distress call that her daughter Anita was shot by DSP Godwin. She alleged that the deceased a graduate of Kent university was driving out alone from mess court estate Katampe extension when her car was intercepted by a Mazda car, the police officer shot the tires of her car, then shot her at close range an hour later a police backup van arrived the scene and took her to Gwarinpa hospital where she was pronounced dead from bleeding as a result of loss from blood arising from the gunshot she said.
While in tears and pains, Mrs. Akapson told the panel how the family of the deceased has been traumatized and demoralize by the loss therefore the family is seeking the sum of 5 billion naira as compensation against the police.
Counsel to the police DCP James Idachaba said the police in his wisdom has punished the officer in question by making him answer for the crime he committed. Idachaba asserted that Godwin was duly prosecuted, and convicted for 16 years in prison. Also, the counsel maintains that he was likewise dismissed from the force for operational misconduct.
Meanwhile, Idachaba told the panel that as long as the money for compensation running into billions is not provided by the police they have no problem with the family being compensated.
However, counsel to the complainants Obinna Ogwu has said that no amount of money can assuage the family of their loss adding that the conducts of the police, in general, was despicable.
Chairman of the panel Justice Suleiman Galadima urged the police to write a letter of apology to the family and also pay a condolence visit by police high powered delegation, while the panel considers and make an appropriate recommendation on compensation to the family. The matter has been adjourned for submission of the report.
