The Independent Investigative Panel on human rights violations by the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and other units of the Nigerian Police in Abuja, on Monday, told the Police that it will keep adjourning, from day to day, the case of alleged arbitrary arrest, detention and enforced disappearance of John Emeka Alozie if the police fail to produce the case file of the victim before the panel.
Dr. Garba Tetengi SAN, who stood in for the Chairman over today’s proceedings informed the police that since it has consistently disobeyed the panel’s orders to produce the case file, “the panel will keep adjourning day to day on this case till the police present the file before the panel”.
At the first hearing of the case on 22nd February 2021 the Chairman, Justice Suleiman Galadima had ordered the appearance of Ogbeh Ochogwu, the Commissioner of Police in charge of legal matters at the Force Headquarters, and three other police officers who are members of the Defunct SARS Awkuzu in Anambra state to answer to the alleged arbitrary arrest, illegal detention and disappearance of John Alozie in 2017.
At the next hearing, the police still failed to comply with the panel’s orders, following this setback the panel gave specific order for the production of the case file.
Meanwhile, counsel to the panel, Chino Obiagwu SAN decried the flagrant disobedience of the police to the panel orders, “the police are taking the wheels of justice for granted and by this behaviour of the police, the panel will rely on the prosecutorial powers of the Commission to compel the police to act accordingly” he added.
In his response, the lead counsel to the police, James Idachaba, promised the panel that he will make it his personal responsibility to get the case file from the CP Legal.
It will be recalled that Mrs. Alozie, the petitioner, informed the panel that her husband was arrested by SARS operatives in their home in Lekki, Lagos and he was taken to Awkuzu in Anambra state on June 15th, 2017. All efforts to see him or know his whereabouts has been unfruitful.
The matter has been adjourned to 8th March 2022 for earlier orders to be complied with.
Similarly, in the petition of Hon Ngozika Ihuomain a case of alleged intimidation and confiscation of properties, the police in its defence submitted that the police ought to be struck out of the case, that the police had no case to answer.
Idachaba explained “the property in question was seized by Union bank and the police is not an appendage of Union Bank, therefore the police has nothing to do with the matter”
At the last hearing, the petitioner informed the panel that his vehicle has been released by the bank, though it was in a bad shape.
The panel ruled that both parties are each given 3 days to file their written address.
The matter was adjourned to March 21st, 2022 for the adoption written address.
