Dear Sir,
MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE OF MR. JOHN EMEKA ALOZIE FROM POLICE CUSTODY IN 2017 – IGBEH OCHOGWU (CP LEGAL) HAS A CASE TO ANSWER – DEMAND TO REOPEN THE CASE FILE
We are a Coalition of Civil Society Organizations interested in the investigation of abuse of Human Rights and unexplained disappearance of suspects in Police custody called Coalition for Police Abuses and Disappearance of Suspects in Police custody (CfPADS).
We have observed that this ugly trend has gradually crawled back into the Police, barely a few years after the #EndSars protest.
Dear IGP, Sir, we commend your timely intervention by setting up an Special Investigation Committee into the trending allegations against Patrick Agbazue, Nwode Nkeiruka, and Harrison Akama of the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID) annex Awkuzu, over their involvement in Human Rights abuse, kidnapping and extra judicial killings; believed to be an organ trafficking ring, within the force.
Dear Sir, as absurd as these recent allegations may seem, it is a rude joke compared to the sudden disappearance of Mr. John Emeka Alozie from the same notorious Awkuzu SARS in 2017.
The current issue involving Patrick Agbazue and others tend to suggest that the three police officers (Uzo Emeana, Sunday Okpe and Obiazo) mentioned in Emeka Alozie’s mysterious disappearance from custody may have the backing of very senior Police officers like Mr. Igbeh Ochogwu (CP Legal).
It is heart wrenching that after making futile efforts to get the police to release her husband, Mrs Nnenna Alozie instituted a suit at the Anambra State High Court, in Ogidi, for the enforcement of his rights. On July 24, 2017, Hon. Justice V.N Agbara, ordered the Police to either charge her husband in court or release him on bail. The police refused to comply with the order, and instead, said the suspect had died during interrogation.
With the revelation from other police officers, the court in its judgment delivered on July 16, 2018, ordered that the police release the corpse of the victim to the family. This is 2023 and the Police are yet to comply with Judgment or the earlier court order.
In 2021, Mrs Alozie filed for enforcement of the Judgment at the Independent Investigative Panel on Human Rights Violation by the defunct SARS, in the case of alleged arbitrary arrest, detention and enforced disappearance.
Retired Justice Galadima that chaired the panel gave orders for Mr. Igbeh Ochogwu to avail the investigative panel the case file; but, he refused to appear before the panel, even when a Bench Warrant was issued for his arrest. Mr. Ochogwu flayed the order and nothing happened to him.
Of interest to us is the fact that Kenneth Igbochuwa, a Police lawyer frowned at Mr. Ochogwu’s disregard to the panel and avail the panel evidence of efforts he made to ensure Ochogwu honours the panel.
By shielding the police officers that made Nnenna Alozie, a widow and robbed her children of the father image in their lives, Mr. Ochogwu, is unfit, in truth and character to remain in the Nigerian Police, talk more of being in charge of its Legal Services.
PRAYERS
On this note, we wish to demand as follows;
- That an investigation committee be set up to review this matter, to ensure that Mrs Nnenna Alozie get justice; and by so doing redeem the image of the police.
- To remove Mr. Ochogwu from his current sensitive position, as the Chief Legal Officer of the Nigerian Police. A law breaker and someone that comfortably and openly disregard Court orders cannot be guarding the sanctity of the gates of the law for the Force.
- To arrest and detain him pending the findings of the Investigative Committee.
Thank you.
Peter Obogrow
For the Coalition.