IIP- SARS: Panel expresses dissatisfaction over police disobedience to orders

*As wife of Police victim begs for justice

ANDREW OROLUA, ABUJA

The Independent Investigative Panel on Human Rights Violations by the defunct SARS, on Friday, expressed displeasure and anger over the refusal of the Nigeria police to respond to its orders to testify over one John Emeka Alozie that its personnel arrested in 2017 and he is nowhere to be found since then.

Members of the panel specifically expressed their frustration over police refusal to comply with the panel’s three consecutive orders directing five of its personnel listed as respondents to appear and testify.

The respondents are Mr. Obiazo -SARs Awkuzu Anambra State, Mr. Uzo Emeana – SARS Awkuzu Anambra State, Sunday Okpe currently serving at Anambra State House Awka, Commissioner of Police Anambra State and Inspector General of Police.

The Petitioner/complainant and wife of the victim told the panel that since December last year when her case was mentioned the matter had received three consecutive adjournments without the respondents particularly Sunday Okpe, Mr. Obiazo and Mr. Uzo Emeana appearing.

The wife of Engr. John Emeka had in her complaint to panel stated that six police officers, SARS, invaded her Lagos residence from the Enugu SARS office, picked her husband away and since then nothing was heard of him.

In case marked 2020/iip/SARS/ABJ/73, the 11-man panel had earlier ordered the police to appear to bring to the panel the officers who perpetuate the act.

After three consecutive orders of the panel which were all flouted by the police, the panel, frustratedly said, “what do we tell the world happened to the man, that he just disappeared from his home,?” the panel rhetorically queried.

The panel further stated that it was unfortunate in this country where people just disappear without trace. That the ineptitude of the Nigerian police was more worrisome in this circumstance.

Counsel to the respondents, Fidelis Ogbobe told the panel that Uzo has retired from service and that efforts are on to reach him, while Sunday Okpe who ought to have testified on Friday did not come.

The panel adjourned to December 2 to enable police authorities to produce the key respondents before it and to testify.

The complainant stated in her petition that Police had also refused to obey three Court orders since his arrest in 2017 to produce him either dead or alive.