The independent investigative panel on human rights atrocities by SARS and other units of the Nigerian Police Force on Friday decried the non-compliance of Nigeria police to orders of the panel.
This was sequel to the claims by the police counsel that the police have no knowledge of the whereabouts of John Emeka Alozie whom they arrested and paraded before senior police officers in 2017.
Nigerian Bar Association representative to the panel, John Aikpokpo Martins who wonders why the police should say they don’t know the whereabouts of Mr. Alozie they officially arrested.
However, When the case was called up for the continuation of hearing, police counsel, Fidelis Ogwobe informed the 11-Member panel headed by Justice Suleiman Galadima (rtd) that Godwin Ijeoma, who was handling the matter for the police has retired and that Joseph Nwadike who took over the matter is absent.
Ogwobe went further to inform the panel that before Ijeoma retired from the Force, he visited the SARS office in Awkuzu where he was told that the two police officers, Mr. Obiazo and Mr Uzo Emeana who are 1st and 2nd respondents in the petition have also retired from the Force.
In his response to the police counsel’s submission before the panel, counsel to the panel, Halilu Adamu drew the attention of the panel to the fact that the petitioner, Engr. Mrs Nnenna John Alozie who is also the wife of the victim is yet to be cross-examined by the police.
Following this, Justice Galadima (rtd) asked Ogwobe if he was ready to cross-examine the petitioner which he declined saying that he was not the one assigned to handle the petition and as such did not have the materials with which to cross-examine the petitioner.
It will be recalled that the panel had earlier expressed frustration over the continuous refusal of two officials of defunct SARS; Mr. Obiazo and Mr. Uzo Emeana both of SARS Awkuzu, Anambra state to appear before it.
The Justice Galadima led panel had vowed to compel their appearance, insisting it will not allow the actions of some lawless police officers to scuttle the course of justice. “The panel is left with no choice but to order the arrest of Mr. Obiazo and Mr. Uzo Emeana both of SARS Awkuzu, Anambra state over alleged arbitrary arrest and detention of one Mr. John Emeka Alozie”.
Meanwhile, the case was adjourned till December 2, 2021.
In the same vein, the case of the alleged enforced disappearance of one Mr Morris Fater Ashwe which is before the panel has suffered setbacks, owing to the failure of counsel to the police to produce D P C Abba Kyari and IPO Makinde who are principal respondents allegedly in possession of information on the whereabouts of the victim.
When the matter came up for hearing at the last adjourned date, lead counsel to the police, James Idachaba Esq cited the recent suspension of DCP Abba Kyari from office as a major challenge in getting him to appear before the 11-man panel.
Idachaba further informed the panel that IPO Makinde, also linked to the matter has been bedridden for months and so could not make any appearance.
Idachaba however appealed to the panel to make a written order to the IGP to produce institutional records relating to the matter, in addition to compelling the appearance of the respondents before the panel.
At the resumed hearing on Friday, the panel noted with dismay that none of the orders made to the IGP was carried out despite evidence showing that they had been served.
Reacting to the abysmal conduct of the police towards the matter, Justice Suleiman Galadima (rtd), Chairman of the panel gave the complainant one week to serve a written address to the police counsel and the matter was adjourned for panel’s report.
