By Eric Ikhilae, Abuja
The Independent Investigative Panel on allegations of human rights violations by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and other units of the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) on Monday ordered the Police to produce Edward Dumsiri Leera whose brother, Confidence Leera, claimed was being held in police custody since November 1, 2019.
The panel directed the police’s legal team led by James Idachaba to, on November 17, 2020 respond to a case involving threat to life brought by Bello Akubuokwu, who claimed to have been hit by police bullet when some Shiite members clashed with the Police around the Federal Secretariat in Abuja in 2019.
Panel’s Chairman, retired Justice Suleiman Galadima gave the orders during its resumed sitting on Monday.
He adjourned further hearing of the case till November 19, 2020 to enable the police make the necessary arrangements to ensure the appearance of some policemen summoned.
They are the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State, SP Martins Samuel, DSP Essien E. Edet Esq., ASP David Ahmed Agbo of the IGP Intelligent Response Team (IRT) “D” Division Itam, Uyo, listed as the six respondents in the case.
Earlier, Confidence, led in evidence by his lawyer, Giwa Victor, told the panel that Edward was arrested by the police and detained for no just cause, and his car confiscated and converted to personal use by a policeman, identified as IPO ASP David Ahmed Agbo.
Confidence claimed that ASP Agbo now drives the car unlawfully seized from his brother.
He alleged the policeman made cash withdrawals from his missing brother’s bank account between November 2019 to October 2020 using his ATM card.
Confidence informed the panel that his family was asked by the police to pay N3m before Edward could be released.
He added they later instituted a suit, marked: BHC/202/2019 for the enforcement of his fundamental rights, adding “subsequently, on December 17, 2019 the court ordered hearing of the application of Edward Dumisara Leera and delivered judgment in his favour and ordered immediate release of the said Edward.”
He added that the order was served on the police, but they refused to obey, and that, instead of complying with the court’s judgment of December 2019, the police filed a seven-count charge against Edward before Justice E.N. Ogbuji in suit No. PHC/287/CR/2020.
Confidence said the police has neither produced Edward in court nor released him in accordance with the earlier court order.
He told the panel that it seems Eddward had been killed extra judicially and disposed of.
The panel later adjourned other cases till later dates.
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