A petitioner, Nafiu Umar Maje has alleged that the police rendered his brother, Aminu Maje impotent by their actions.
The petitioner made the disclosure at the Independent Investigative Panel on Human Rights Violations by the defunct SARS and other Units of the Nigeria police force in Abuja.
Testifying before the panel the complainant narrated how it all started on the 25 of June 2022 in the early hours of the morning, saying he received a call from his security man that some men were on the premises vandalizing his signboard and properties in the estate.
According to the complainant he went to the estate the next day to ascertain the level of damage, but one Abdulkadir Ibrahim who falsely claimed to be the owner of the property came in the company of two police Men, Inspector Bonest Vincent and sergeant Zayyan Zuberu with five thugs.
He said they conspired and started vandalizing the property cut down the barricades and assaulted him and his brother.
Narrating further the complainant said he rushed to the police station in Apo police station to report the matter and “on coming back the two policemen had started shooting and in the process shot my brother”
He added that the police officers however took his brother to Garki hospital and dumped him there on the allegation that he was hit by stray bullets.
Meanwhile, Aminu (the complainant’s brother) underwent four different surgeries to save his life and was billed to travel out for further medical treatment but for paucity of funds he could not make it he lamented.
However, when investigation into the matter commenced on the 16th of July 2016, an orderly room trail was conducted and recommendations for dismissal of the two policemen were recommended by the investigation panel for illegal operations and misconduct.
Furthermore, the complainant lamented that despite the judgment obtained from the orderly room trail, the dismissed officers are back in the force promoted and serving.
His prayer before the panel is to be compensated to the tune of 22 million naira for medical expenses.
However, police counsel, Mr. Fidelis Ogobe has told the panel that the police cannot bear liability for the said police officer’s actions, saying the commissioner of police never posted them as part of their employment to where the incident took place.
Additionally, the police counsel pointed out that during cross-examination the petitioner rightly admitted to the fact that the two officers in question were tried and dismissed from the Nigerian police, he queried why he should turn around to say otherwise.
According to Ogwobe, “he who alleges must prove”.
The police counsel also noted that criminal liability is personal and can never be vicarious, he said the actions of the two officers were criminal and they were tried and dismissed consequently.
The matter has been adjourned for report.
