The Independent Investigative Panel on Human Rights Violations by defunct SARS and other units of the Nigerian Police urges the police to always ensure that the rights of their fellow citizens are protected at all times and in accordance with the law.
Chairman of the panel Justice Suleiman Galadima (rtd) made this statement during one of the panel hearing on alleged arbitrary arrest, unlawful detention cruel inhuman and degrading treatment meted on one, Jane Gana.
According to Justice Galadima police officers involved in allegations of human rights violations should be available to help the panel shed light on their alleged involvement.
He stated that appearing before the panel is not at their discretion because the panel and Nigerian citizens whom they protect want to see them. He noted that the issue before the panel is that the police allegedly violated the rights of some Nigerians and that they should therefore come before the panel to explain themselves.
Laying her complaint before the panel, Jane Gana narrated how on the 7th of October 2020 she had a knock at the gate and asked who was knocking and the response was “it’s the police”,
According to her, she came out of the flat and approached the gate and two men, Mr Amaobi and Mr Danjuma identifed themselves as men from FCT police command. The officers apparently came to invite her and her mother to the police station for a case of treat to life brought against them by Mr Victor Nzeijiofor who happens to be their neighbour.
Narrating further, she said she pleaded with them to allow her to have her bathe but they refused insisting they come along immediately to the police station.
According to Jane, she was arrested kept in a cell and the “president” of the prison and fellow prisoners beat her up, she was later kept in the toilet till the next day.
Narrating further, Jane said that she was denied bail and severely tortured and her menstrual cycle started with no sanitary towel to use which made her smell with rashes all over her body.
Jane who said the only condition the police gave for her bail was that she must report daily to the police station prayed the panel for Justice and compensation for the unlawful detention, torture and other inhuman and degrading treatment she allegedly suffered in the hands of the police.
Counsel to the police Donatus Abah apologize for the inability of the police to appear during the hearing but promised to do better on the next adjourned date by ensuring the said party are present.
The case has been adjourned to 2 March 2020 for defence.
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