A victim of Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on 31st of July 2015 Mr Maduabuchi Friday has petitioned Abia State Judicial Panel of Inquiry on Police Brutality explaining in details what transpired and seeking compensation.
Mr Madubauchi who made the appeal through his legal council K.J Anya Esq.of K.J Anya &Co Chambers stated that he was in his shop at the Ariaria International Market,Aba,Abia State were he makes shoes on the 31st day of July, 2015 when men of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) started shooting sporadically while pursuing drug dealers in the market.
Mr Maduabuchi stated that he was hit by a bullet on his right hand while the NDLEA officers were shooting. The claimant said it was with the help of his neighbours that he was rushed to the”Holy World Christian Hospital at 169 faulks road,Aba,were the bullet was removed from his body.
Mr Maduabuchi said ,while himself and other victims were at the hospital, His Excellency Dr.Okezie Ikpeazue visited him and other victims at the hospital .He said the governor while on the visit made a deposit of some money to the hospital for their treatment with a promise that he would foot all the hospital bills and also compensate them more especially as regards to their businesses.
Mr Maduabuchi said however ,five years after the incident and the visit of the governor, the attention of the governor has not be drawn to the promise he made to himself and other victims of the NDLEA brutality.The victim said due to his medical bill not been properly settled as promised by the governor, he was discharged by the hospital when he was not suppose to and that all necessary drugs as well as injections that would have necessitate his full recovery was not provided.
Mr Maduabuchi said what shocked him most was that the said officers of the NDLEA that was responsible for himself and others ordeal were not brought to justice as promised by the governor.
The victim adduced that this necessitated him to engage a legal council to write to the commissioner of police, the Commandant of NDLEA in Abia State demanding for Justice and compensation due to the state of his health, family and business, he said all effort however proved abortive.
He said since the incident till date ,he has neither gotten justice , nor compensation ,he adduced that this has caused untold hardship to himself and his family since he is the family’s breadwinner.
Mr Maduabuchi said it is in view of his situation,that he is appealing and to the governor of Abia State, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu and the Attorney-General of Abia State for compensation to enable him to fully revive his business in order to train more people in the state without jobs on shoe making,he also prayed the government to bring the perpetrators of Ariaria brutality to justice.
