The Inspector General of Police and the Commissioner of Police, in the FCT say they are not liable in the case of an alleged 2018 extra judicial killing of a National Youth Service Corps member, Miss Linda Igwetu.
This was the submission of the counsel to the police, Mr. Felix Ogwobe at the resumed sitting of the Independent Investigative Panel on alleged Human Rights Violations by the defunct Special Anti-robbery Squad, SARS and other units of the Nigeria Police Force in Abuja.
The complainant, Miss Chinenye Igwetu on behalf of the deceased had joined the Inspector General of Police and the Commissioner of Police, in FCT as the second and third respondents in the case of alleged extra judicial killing of Miss Linda Igwetu in 2018 at a police check point immediately after Ceddi Plaza, in the Central business district of the nation’s capital at about three o’clock in the morning while returning from a hang out party.
Miss Chinenye Igwetu therefore sought for compensation in the sum of Two Hundred and Fifty million naira.
Counsel to the complainant, Mrs. Pwadundi Okoh said the duo had a vicarious liability since the first respondent, an Inspector of Police; Benjamin Peters was at the check point on their behalf.
Responding to the complainant’s address, counsel to the Police, Mr. Fidelix Ogwobe said the Inspector General of Police and the Commissioner of Police, in the FCT could not be held responsible for the action of Benjamin Peters because he was already being tried for culpable homicide in a Federal High Court in Abuja.
The matter was adjourned for final report.
In a related development, the family of one Mr. Festus Idehen is seeking two hundred million naira compensation over the alleged extra judicial killing of Festus in 2016.
Counsel to the family, Kuyik Usoro while presenting his final address to the panel said justice must be seen to be done in the matter as facts before him showed that the right to life of Mr. Idehen was violated by the police.
Counsel to the police, Mr. Umoh Inah said he would not be able to respond to the address because he got it late.
The Chairman of the panel, Justice Suleiman Galadima directed the counsel to the police to present his written address unfailingly on the 20th of this month.
Meanwhile, Counsel to the Police, Mr. Malik Taiwo handling the case of alleged unlawful arrest and detention of one Mr. Mustapha Sabo could not also present his address due to late service while Godwin Ijeoma in charge of alleged extra judicial killing of Kenneth Ummunna had retired from the force.
Justice Galadima directed the Head of the Police legal team, Mr. James Idachaba to take over the matter and respond to the address by the complainant.
The case was adjourned until the 1st of November this year.
Reporting by Bose Ijelekhai; Edited Adeniyi Bakare