The Abia State Panel of Inquiry On Police Brutality, Extra Judicial Killings And Other Related Matters Chaired by Hon Justice S.N. Imo (rtd). continued it’s sitting on Tuesday, January 19, 2021.
The first hearing with case number, JUD/AB/82/2020 was between Mrs. July Chinaka and Obianuju Chinaka for and on behalf of late Mr. Chinaka Ahamefula of Nkwerre Umueze, Imo state (present)and the D.P.O Cameroon station, Aba(absent).
Reacting, the defending counsel , CC Nwaobilor of the defense counsel state CID Abia State, pleaded the court to tarry on the case as Mr. Okafor Felix who was handling the case was not in court as at the time of court proceedings. The court overruled the plea.
The counsel representing the petitioners, Mr. Ojiakor told the court that he and the family members of the deceased approched the DPO Cameroon Station to claim the corpse but were asked to approach the panel of inquiry for clearance.
On the witness stand, Obianuju Chinaka, daughter of the deceased 50yr old Ahamefula Chinaka, said the corpse of the deceased is deposited at Saint Anthony Mortuary, and pleaded the court to grant the deceased’s family an order to claim the corpse for burial. When asked who has the tally to the corpse, she said, ” it is DSP Kennis Nwakozo who deposited the corpse and has the tally.”
Speaking further, Mr Ojiakor pleaded the court to allow him amend the petition so as to add financial compensations. He stated that this will allow the two children of the deceased finish their education.
The witness, Obianuju pleaded a compensation of N100 million.
Mr Ojiakor requested the court to hear the case again on January 27, 2021 because of the witnesse’s attachment. The court granted his plea.
Justice Imo ruled that the body of the deceased should be released to his family while the cost of releasing the corpse for burial will be footed by the respondent.
Also, the court heard the case file number JUD/AB/67/2020 between Amaobi Orji, Nkemjika Ohaja, Ajuruchukwu Olunwa, Philip Uchendu (present) and Asst. IGP, zone 9 police hqtrs Umuahia, Commissioner of police Abia , Inspector Edmiah Nahan(absent).
Reacting, the counsel representing the petitioners, EE Azubuike(Esq), said, the petitioners never mentioned the asst. IGP, zone 9 and asked the court to delete the name as mentioned in the case file.
Justice Imo said, ” …. The name of the IGP zone nine is hereby struck out”.
The court adjourned the case to february 16, 2021 for hearing.
Other cases to be heard were adjourned to further dates.
The court asked petitioners who has no lawyers and cannot afford to get a lawyer to approach the Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Umuahia .
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