IIP-SARS on Wednesday expressed disappointment with the attitude of the Police in complying with its order to produce two police officers, Mr Obiazo and Mr Uzo Emeana both of SARS Awkuzu, Anambra state over their alleged involvement in the arbitrary arrest and detention of one Mr John Emeka Alozie who has been reportedly missing for the last four years.
The panel observed that the police had acted with impunity by making excuses rather than complying with the order of the panel made on two separate occasions to compel the production of the above-mentioned police officers.
At the first week of March, 2021, the 11-Member panel chaired by Justice Suleiman Galadima has vowed to compel the appearance of two police officers, Mr Obiazo and Mr Uzo Emeana both of SARS Awkuzu, Anambra state before the panel.
The chairman of the panel had made this declaration when police failed to comply with the order of the court made on two separate occasions directing compelling them to produce the aforementioned police officers before the panel to explain the whereabouts of the victim.
In the light of the foregoing, Justice Galadima and other members of the panel concluded that on November 10, 2021 which is the next adjourned date, final decision on the matter will be taken if the police fail to produce the said officers.
Lead counsel to the panel, Chino Obiagwu (SAN) drew the attention of the panel to its order for the production of Officers Obiazo and Emeana before the panel on December 15, 2020 and February 2, 2021, respectively and up until now the two officers are yet to report to the panel.
According to the Senior Advocate, IGP’s liaison Officer to the panel, Cosmas Anyanwu had earlier promised the panel that he would ensure the production of the two named policemen before the panel but to no avail.
Besides, he told the panel that the complainant confided with him that the Force Headquarters had established a prima facie case against said officers, preparatory to prosecution.
However, the Chairman of the panel insisted that Obiagwu SAN should make his own findings about the said plan by the Force Headquarters to prosecute some of the respondents in the matter rather relying on the information given to him by the complainant.
In his response, lead counsel to the Nigerian Police, James Idacha informed the panel that Godwin Ijeoma who was assigned to handle the matter for the police has retired and that Cosmas Anyanwu was made the promise to produce Obiazo and Emeana before the panel has been transferred to Calabar, Cross River state.
Continuing, he said that his legal team does not have access to the case file, a situation; he said poses a challenge as it relates to the production of the necessary police officers before the panel.
Idachaba also reminded the panel that the matter was slated for defense and cross-examination and that the complainant, Engr. Mrs. Nnenna John Alozie is yet to be cross-examined by the police.
It will be recalled that the panel had stated that the two police officers are necessary parties in unravelling what actually transpired between the police and the victim, John Emeka who was alleged to have been unlawfully detained by the police for a long time without prosecution before a court of competent jurisdiction.
Justice Galadima specifically directed the IGP and the Anambra state Commissioner of Police to quickly give effect to the production order to enable the panel to arrive at an informed and just decision concerning the allegations made against the policemen.
In another petition, the panel directed the police to file before it and serve written addresses to all the parties in defence of alleged confiscation/seizure of property (Toyota Camry 2007 Model) belonging to Chukwuemeka Amadi.
Justice Galadima gave police 10 days to serve all the respondents with the said written addresses and adjourned the petition to November 12, 2021.
Obiagwu SAN told the panel that the car was taken from the complainant by the SP Adama Musa of the legal department of the FCT police command and was never returned to him till date.
According to him, SP Musa has not proved before the panel that the said car is not with him even as he noted that he is yet to show that he has a legal authority to take over the car and convert the same to his personal use.
Other respondents in the petition are ASP Samuel (defunct FCT SARS), SGT Mike Ihile (defunct FCT SARS), Anti-Car Theft FCT, Commissioner of Police FCT and IGP.
