NGO demands justice for Abia people kill during lockdown

June 18, 2020

By Ijendu Iheaka

The Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy and Development, (FENRAD), an NGO on Thursday demanded justice for Abia residents killed during COVID-19 lockdown enforcement.

The group in a petition to the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Abia, requested the prosecution of security agents who allegedly killed innocent residents during the lockdown.

They also demanded to know the “the fate, state and stage of prosecution of some security agents taken into custody for suspected extrajudicial killings during the lockdown enforcement recently”.

The press release was signed by Mr Nelson Nwafor, the Executive Director, Mr Olusegun Bamgbose, Head Legal Team, FENRAD.

The body which said it is  guided by the doctrine of justice and human rights recalled that some Abia residents were murdered in Aba, Ohafia and Isiala Ngwa by security agents enforcing lockdown rules recently.

The group recalled that in the month of April within Aba and Ohafia and a Isiala Ngwa axis, deaths occurred through the gun of security agencies enforcing lockdown compliance. 

They said that the knowledge and particulars of the cases had remained in public domain but noted that “what is sadly not made public is the fate of justice regarding same”. 

They mentioned the killing of Chibuisi Okaneme, Amobi Igwe and Ifeanyi Arunsi by Police Inspector Stanley Asu, Richard Eke of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and “the drunk policeman” at Ebem Ohafia. 

They noted that although these suspects had earlier been remanded by the State Criminal Investigation Department, (State CID), nothing had been heard since that time about their prosecution.

They said “many cases of unlawful arrest, forced detention, economic exploitation through coercion, bribery and intimidation by security agents against Abia motorists and tricycle operators, nothing was being done to try the offenders.

FENRAD reminded Commissioner for Justice that if his office did not inform Abia people of the fate of Inspector Stanley Asu; Eke Richard and “the drunk policeman”, it would be creating suspicion in the minds of Abia people.

They thanked Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu, for ensuring security of lives and properties of Abia people and urged Abia AG to ensure quick dispensation of justice in matters concerning Abia state and its citizens.

“Justice, FENRAD urges, must not be seen to be done but must to the letter be done; Abians are watching and the best thing a moment like this deserves is justice for the dead, the bereaved and also the state at large. 

“To this end FENRAD calls for speedy and public trial of the named persons and as well publicity of same when done. 

“The judiciary is the last hope of the common man; such hope now hinges on what the state justice machinery can do by keeping Abians abreast and also by ensuring speedy trials”, they urged.