A former chairman, Nigerian Bar Association, Onitsha Branch, Mr John Ifijeh, has called on the acting Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to release the report of investigation into the allegations of extra-judicial killings, organ harvesting, high-handedness and corruption levelled against some senior police officers at the Special Anti-Robbery Squad in Awkuzu, Zone 13 Command in Ukpo-Dunukofia, Anambra State.
The previous IG, Usman Baba, had formed a special investigative team to look into the claims.
The Force spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, stated in a statement on February 17 that the findings of the investigations would determine the next course of action, while promising that the police would leave no stone unturned in ensuring that justice was served in the case and sanctions were meted out to any officers found guilty.
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Ifijeh, speaking at a news conference in Onitsha on Friday, said the report should be publicised and appropriate punishments should be imposed on any officers found guilty.
According to Ifijeh, the conference was a stakeholder engagement session aimed at interacting with victims and family members of those who perished as a result of extra-judicial killings in order to provide solutions and justice.
“It is a serious concern to us that the report of the investigation panel set up by the immediate past IG on the allegations of extra-judicial killings in Anambra has not been released five months after it was formed,” he said, flanked by other members of the branch.
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We are urging the current IG, Egbetokun, to announce the findings of the investigations as soon as possible in order to ensure justice is served in the case and appropriate punishments are imposed on those found guilty.
“The release of the panel report will ensure justice for the families of the victims of these extra-judicial killings, as well as sanity in the force.” We learned that the indicted police officers have returned to work, which is not supposed to be the case.”
He suggested that the Police Service Commission distribute the panel findings to the media and the public to demonstrate that things would no longer be business as usual.
“A lot of people have been victims, and they are looking to the police for justice,” he continued.
“We appeal to the new IGP to release the detailed report,” said a victim’s family member, Uche Anozo. My younger brother, who had recently returned from abroad, was framed up by the police and his bank account was depleted.
“He was also detained for three days at Awkuzu SARS for no apparent reason.” The police promised to call victims to come and testify, but we never received an invitation. As a result, we are requesting that they share the findings of their investigation so that justice can be served.
