PETITIONER’S ALLEGATIONS HOLDS NO WATER SAYS POLICE.

By: Michael Mike

The Police on Wednesday told the Independent Investigative Panel on human rights violations by the disbanded Special Anti- Robbery Squad (SARS) and other police units in Abuja, that the allegations brought before the panel by Mrs Remigus Clementina,on behalf of her late father,holds no water and therefore urges the panel to dismiss the  prayers for payment of  compensation. 

Presenting it’s oral address the police stated that the claims of 50m compensation as damages by the petitioner is immaterial because the petitioner failed woefully to prove that the police allegedly meted out cruel inhuman degrading treatment to her father which she claimed led to the death of Pius Ajaegbu (her father).

Fidelis Ogwobe,counsel to police, informed the panel that the burden of proof of facts lies on who asserts and that the petitioner has not been able to prove beyond reasonable doubt, that the police tortured her father to death.

Speaking before Dr Garba Tetengi SAN who presided over the panel, Ogwobe argued that the 80 year old, Pius Ajaegbu died in the care of his family. ” This was evident in the petitioner’s testimony who said her father died in a hospital” he added.

Ogwobe further emphasized that it was never established before the panel that the deceased died in the custody of the police and most importantly cause of death is unknown because there is no medical report or autopsy before the panel to show the cause of death.

Continuing, Ogwobe stated that from the foregoing, the petitioner has been unable to prove the allegations in the petition against the police, therefore the 50m compensation should be dismissed.

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Earlier,counsel to panel, Halilu Adamu,who is assisting the petitioner, while presenting the written address is pleading with the panel to grant compensation for general expenses incurred by Mrs Remigus while treating her father in the hospital and burial expenses after his death.

The matter has been adjourned for panel’s report .

In another development, in a matter of alleged unlawful arrest and detention,and unlawful seizure of property belonging to Michael Uzoagba against the police,the panel had ordered the appearance of one Shunku Terhermber of Bwari Police station.

The order was made through the DPO of Bwari Police Station to produce Shunku Terhermber at the next adjourned date to explain what he knows about the allegations labelled against him in the petition brought before the panel by Micheal Uzoagba.

Earlier, counsel to the petitioner, Maria Ohiobor presented certified true copies of discontinuance of hearing of the same subject matter at the Federal High Court before the panel. 

The matter has been adjourned to 20th April,2022 for appearance of Shunku Terhermber.

PETITIONER’S ALLEGATIONS HOLDS NO WATER SAYS POLICE.