Access to Justice, in coalition with other Civil Society Organizations, among who are the Legal Research Initiatives, Constitutional Rights Project, CLEEN Foundation, Legal Defense and Assistance Project among others, on Monday 8th June, marked the 4th year anniversary of the Apo Six Killings in Abuja.
In his address to newsmen at the Bolton White Hotels in Abuja, Mr. Joseph Otteh, the Executive Director of Access to Justice on behalf of the Coalition demanded that the Federal Government should as a matter of urgency hastens up efforts to reform the Nigerian Police Force and take immediate steps to end the reign of impunity within the force by ensuring accountability for every abusive action, including every instance of extrajudicial killings as well as prosecute policemen who have killed without justification.
“President Yar’Adua should in making the next appointment into the office of the Inspector General of Police, appoint someone strongly committed to the reform of the Nigerian Police and is ready to provide leadership for the needed changes in which the present IGP has proved to be a total failure.” He added.
The coalition also called on the National Assembly to pass key reform bills like the Police Bill, Freedom of Information Bill and other justice sector reform bills, as well as domesticate the United Nations Convention on Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment.
Speaking on behalf of CLEEN Foundation, Mrs. Kemi Okenyodo advocated for proper oversight function on the Nigerian Police. “Officers responsible for oversight functions on the Nigerian Police who failed in their duties should be prosecuted” Those responsible for oversight functions on the Police include the National Assembly Committees on the Police, Human Rights and Justice.
The question and answer session of the briefing provided more than enough for the Force PRO, ACP Emmanuel Ojukwu more than enough to chew. Responding, he pleaded for more understanding from the public. “We are partners with the civil society on the way forward for the Nigerian Police. We are already working on our mode of arrest and the use of torture as a means of investigation” He said adding that what the police require is a gradual dis-sensitisation and not bashing from all corners.
The coalition however, directed that the Police find all their men and officers involved in the Apo Six Killings, especial the DPO of Garki Police Station, Othman Abdusallam who are alleged to have fled from justice, and also Corporal Benjamin Oyedi who was implicated in the death of Dr. Awosika, and hand them over for prosecution.
Felled by the bullets of men and officers of the Nigerian Police Force in June 2005, friends and families of the Apo Six, some of whom were present at the memorial briefing are still waiting patiently for a justice they may never live to witness.
“Ifeanyi was the bread winner of the family. I now carry that responsibility on my frail shoulder. It’s not been easy” Elvis Raphael Uzodinma lamented, adding that “No amount of compensation can make up for my bother’s life. What we demanded for in court was N100,000.000 compensation, the naming of a street in honour of the Apo Six as a reminder and deterrent for future occurrence and prosecution of all the officers responsible for their death. At the end the day what we got was N3million. As far as I am concerned, that is not compensation but a burial rite. I still look forward to the government to do more in terms of compensating the family. They need to do more if truly they take seriously the welfare of their citizens” he explained.
Ekene Isaac’s nephew, Mrs. Pauline Uzochukwu fought back tears as she explained that while her sister (Ekene Isaac’ mother) four years later still suffer silently the loss of her only son and breadwinner of the family, the Divisional Police Officer, Oathman Danjuma Abdusallam still walks the street a free man. “He used his power and position to order my nephew’s killing. He was dubiously granted bail and till now we are yet to get justice. There is a deliberate ploy to unjustly sweep the case under the carpet. That is why they are delaying justice. They want to deny us justice” She cried.
Jerry Adesewo
In his address to newsmen at the Bolton White Hotels in Abuja, Mr. Joseph Otteh, the Executive Director of Access to Justice on behalf of the Coalition demanded that the Federal Government should as a matter of urgency hastens up efforts to reform the Nigerian Police Force and take immediate steps to end the reign of impunity within the force by ensuring accountability for every abusive action, including every instance of extrajudicial killings as well as prosecute policemen who have killed without justification.
“President Yar’Adua should in making the next appointment into the office of the Inspector General of Police, appoint someone strongly committed to the reform of the Nigerian Police and is ready to provide leadership for the needed changes in which the present IGP has proved to be a total failure.” He added.
The coalition also called on the National Assembly to pass key reform bills like the Police Bill, Freedom of Information Bill and other justice sector reform bills, as well as domesticate the United Nations Convention on Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment.
Speaking on behalf of CLEEN Foundation, Mrs. Kemi Okenyodo advocated for proper oversight function on the Nigerian Police. “Officers responsible for oversight functions on the Nigerian Police who failed in their duties should be prosecuted” Those responsible for oversight functions on the Police include the National Assembly Committees on the Police, Human Rights and Justice.
The question and answer session of the briefing provided more than enough for the Force PRO, ACP Emmanuel Ojukwu more than enough to chew. Responding, he pleaded for more understanding from the public. “We are partners with the civil society on the way forward for the Nigerian Police. We are already working on our mode of arrest and the use of torture as a means of investigation” He said adding that what the police require is a gradual dis-sensitisation and not bashing from all corners.
The coalition however, directed that the Police find all their men and officers involved in the Apo Six Killings, especial the DPO of Garki Police Station, Othman Abdusallam who are alleged to have fled from justice, and also Corporal Benjamin Oyedi who was implicated in the death of Dr. Awosika, and hand them over for prosecution.
Felled by the bullets of men and officers of the Nigerian Police Force in June 2005, friends and families of the Apo Six, some of whom were present at the memorial briefing are still waiting patiently for a justice they may never live to witness.
“Ifeanyi was the bread winner of the family. I now carry that responsibility on my frail shoulder. It’s not been easy” Elvis Raphael Uzodinma lamented, adding that “No amount of compensation can make up for my bother’s life. What we demanded for in court was N100,000.000 compensation, the naming of a street in honour of the Apo Six as a reminder and deterrent for future occurrence and prosecution of all the officers responsible for their death. At the end the day what we got was N3million. As far as I am concerned, that is not compensation but a burial rite. I still look forward to the government to do more in terms of compensating the family. They need to do more if truly they take seriously the welfare of their citizens” he explained.
Ekene Isaac’s nephew, Mrs. Pauline Uzochukwu fought back tears as she explained that while her sister (Ekene Isaac’ mother) four years later still suffer silently the loss of her only son and breadwinner of the family, the Divisional Police Officer, Oathman Danjuma Abdusallam still walks the street a free man. “He used his power and position to order my nephew’s killing. He was dubiously granted bail and till now we are yet to get justice. There is a deliberate ploy to unjustly sweep the case under the carpet. That is why they are delaying justice. They want to deny us justice” She cried.
Jerry Adesewo
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