By Our Correspondent
The Independent Investigative Panel on Human Rights Violations by defunct SARS and other units of the Nigerian Police has urged the police to always ensure that the rights of their fellow citizens are protected at all times and in accordance with the law.
Chairman of the Abuja panel, Justice Suleiman Galadima (rtd) made the disclosure during one of the panel hearing on alleged arbitrary arrest, unlawful detention, cruel inhuman and degrading treatment meted on one, Jane Gana.
According to Justice Galadima police officers involved in allegations of human rights violations should be available to help the panel shed light on their alleged involvement.
He stated that appearing before the panel is not at their discretion because the panel and Nigerian citizens whom they protect want to see them.
He noted that the issue before the panel is that the police allegedly violated the rights of some Nigerians, saying they should therefore come before the panel to explain themselves.
Narrating her complaint before the panel, Jane Gana stated how on the 7th of October 2020 she had a knock at the gate and asked who was knocking and the response was “it’s the police”,
“When I came out of the flat and approached the gate, two men, Mr Amaobi and Mr Danjuma identifed themselves as men from FCT police command.
“The officers apparently came to invite my mother and I to the police station, for a case of threat to life brought against us by Mr Victor Nzeijiofor who happens to be our neighbour” she said.
Continuing, Jane said she pleaded with them to allow her to have her bath but they refused, insisting they come along immediately to the police station.
According to Jane, she was arrested kept in a cell and the “president” of the prison and fellow prisoners beat her up, and was later kept in the toilet till the next day.
“I was denied bail and severely tortured, my menstrual cycle started with no sanitary towel to use, which made me smell, with rashes all over my body.
Jane who said the only condition the police gave for her bail was that she must report daily to the police station, however prayed the panel for Justice and compensation for the unlawful detention, torture and other inhuman and degrading treatment she allegedly suffered in the hands of the police.
Meanwhile, counsel to the police, Donatus Abah apologised for the inability of the police to appear during the hearing but promised to do better on the next adjourned date by ensuring the said party are present.
The case has been adjourned to 2 March 2020 for defence.
