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 Wednesday expressed disappointment with the attitude of the Police.
Specifically, the panel said the police has failed to comply with its order to produce two police officers, Mr Obiazo and Mr Uzo Emeana both of SARS Awkuzu, Anambra state over their alleged involvement in the arbitrary arrest and detention of one Mr John Emeka Alozie who has been reportedly missing for the last three years.
The panel observed that the police had acted with impunity by making excuses rather than complying with the order of the panel made on two separate occasions to compel the production of the above-mentioned police officers.
At the first week of March, 2021, the 11-Member panel chaired by Justice Suleiman Galadima vowed to compel the appearance of two police officers, Mr Obiazo and Mr Uzo Emeana both of SARS Awkuzu, Anambra state before the panel.
The chairman of the panel had made this declaration when police failed to comply with the order of the court made on two separate occasions compelling them to produce the aforementioned police officers before the panel to explain the whereabouts of the victim.
Consequently, Justice Galadima and other members of the panel concluded that on November 10, 2021 which is the next adjourned date, final decision on the matter will be taken if the police fail to produce the said officers.
Lead counsel to the panel, Chino Obiagwu (SAN) drew the attention of the panel to its order for the production of Officers Obiazo and Emeana before the panel on December 15, 2020 and February 2, 2021, respectively, saying till now the two officers are yet to report to the panel.
According to the Senior Advocate, IGP’s liaison Officer to the panel, Cosmas Anyanwu had earlier promised the panel that he would ensure the production of the two named policemen before the panel but to no avail.
Besides, he told the panel that the complainant confided in him that the Force Headquarters had established a prima facie case against said officers, preparatory to prosecution.
However, the Chairman of the panel insisted that Obiagwu SAN should make his own findings about the said plan by the Force Headquarters to prosecute some of the respondents in the matter rather than relying on the information given to him by the complainant.
In his response, lead counsel to the Nigerian Police, James Idachaba informed the panel that Godwin Ijeoma who was assigned to handle the matter for the police has retired, stressing that Cosmas Anyanwu who made the promise to produce Obiazo and Emeana before the panel has been transferred to Calabar, Cross River state.
Continuing, he said that his legal team does not have access to the case file, a situation; he said poses a challenge as it relates to the production of the necessary police officers before the panel.
Idachaba also reminded the panel that the matter was slated for defense and cross-examination and that the complainant, Engr. Mrs. Nnenna John Alozie was yet to be cross-examined by the police.
It would be recalled that the panel had stated that the two police officers are necessary parties in unravelling what actually transpired between the police and the victim, John Emeka who was alleged to have been unlawfully detained by the police for a long time without prosecution before a court of competent jurisdiction.
Justice Galadima specifically directed the IGP and the Anambra state Commissioner of Police to quickly give effect to the production order to enable the panel to arrive at an informed and just decision concerning the allegations made against the policemen.
