A human rights advocacy group- Centre for Human and Socio-Economic Rights (CHSR) has tasked the Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun to checkmate abusive tendencies of officers of the Nigerian Police Force.
CHSR National President Comrade Alex Omotehinse communicated the demands of the group while addressing a press conference on Police Brutality, Unlawful Detention and Abuse of Office Power and Demands that the Inspector General of Police should be Firm and Resolute in Curbing Actions and In-actions of some Police Officers that Leads to Dragging the Institution Name.
The group urge Inspector General of Police to institute an investigating team to look into all the allegations of Mr. Suraju Asimiyu (Baba Ibeji) against Mrs. Tolulope Odegbami (Olowosibi).
“As a human right group, we have received several complaints from Nigerians across board on cases of harassment, intimidation, exploitation, favouritism and bias from officers of Nigeria Police Force.
“Also, in the course of discharging our duty or interaction while settling people’s disputes, some Police officers mostly the lower cadres are far away from Acts that set Nigeria police Force as enshrined in the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.”
The group painted a common scenario where the vulnerable get repressed without any fair hearing.
“Based on the vulnerability of the defender/ complainer, the well-connected ‘OGA MADAM’ in collaboration with Men of the Nigeria Police Force will then use their societal influence to manipulate the system and avert justice to impact sufferings and pains on the less privileged.
“This is a situation where we are as a country and more reasons why our correctional centres are densely congested.
“Few days ago one Mr. Asimiyu Suraju a widower and father of twins cried to our office to register a complaint against a cyber space influencer Mrs. Tolulope Odegbami (Olowosibi) using her relationship and connection with a senior Police officer to get him arrested and detained unlawfully.
According to CHSR, Asimiyu was said to have been detained in police custody for 80 days without trial, clearly violating his fundamental human right. Omotehinse listed the demands of the group on a number of issues seeking the IGP’s urgent intervention.
“The inspector general of police should institute an investigating team to look into all the allegations of Mr. Suraju Asimiyu (Baba Ibeji) against Mrs. Tolulope Odegbami (Olowosibi).
“The IGP should create an avenue to checkmate the act of abuse of office by police officers influenced by individuals against their perceived enemy.
“We demand to know the process, method and durations of serving a Suspect within the state, outside the state and outside the country a police invitation letter before declaring the suspect wanted.
“We demand in the public interest that the Nigeria Police Force through the office of FPPRO should address and enlighten Nigerians about the process then what and what one will do that can lead to him or her been declare wanted.
“For avoidance of being partisan and to see justice serve, the IGP should use his good office to step down the WANTED order on Dorcas Adeyinka to avail her opportunity to honor Police invite without being harass or embarrass.
“We hereby demand that the Nigeria Police force should tender its unreserved apology to Mr. Suraju Asimiyu (Baba Ibeji) with compensation for unlawfully detaining him for period of 11 weeks without trial or proper investigation.”
The group also appreciated all human rights lawyers who had given the hapless a voice in the temple of justice, while praying that almighty God in his infinite mercy shall continue to bless, guide and protect them in all their endeavours and that they shall all live to witness the Nigeria of our dream where rule of law will be upheld that the indigents, innocents will no longer suffer unjustly for an offence they did not commit.”