One Kelechi Odinkemere, an accountant has alleged that a policeman in Ikwuano police division in Umuahia forced him to write a statement adding that he fought Policemen under the influence of alcohol.
Kelechi who appeared as a witness before the judicial panel of inquiry sitting in Umuahia on a case between Mr. Kelechi Odinkemere, mrs. Josephine Odinkemere, Duke Odinkemere, Chukwuemeka Odinkemere versus Commissioner of Police Abia State, Officer Ferdinand and officer Chukwuebuka.
According to Kelechi, one of his uncle’s was bringing down some parts of the compound’s fence as he wanted to erect a football viewing centre. He said his mother mrs Josephine and his brother Duke tried stopping the process.
Kelechi said the Ikwuano police men came on the call of his uncle and demanded that the mother and brother be provided.
He said; ” the police came without a warrant. They wanted to arrest my brother and mother. I told them that it was Saturday, I asked them to go that I will personally bring them to the police station on Monday.
” Officer Ferdinand asked me to come, I went closer to him and he gave me a hot slap. They started beating me and my brother Chukwuemeka.
” The police was hitting my face and eyes , I asked them to hit me else where if they want but not on my eyes as they may blind me.
” We were whisked away to the police station. I had bruises on my face and blood was gushing out because of the bleeding. They didn’t treat me nor allow me to go and treat myself.
” Around 1am, an IPO woke us up, he had a Matchete and asked I and my brother to write a statement. He said I should write that I fought Policemen under the Influence of alcohol. I refused, telling him that I was not drunk neither did I fight them.
“The policemen compelled us to write that statement.
” On Sunday morning, DPO came, he saw me and called me out. He asked what happened to my face, I explained everything to him although the police tried to shut me up but I refused.
” The DPO asked me to go and treat my self while my brother stays back. The police said I should bring my mother and younger brother Duke while returning.
” I went to diamond academy to pick my brother but the coach Apugo refuse as Duke was still playing football.
” It was there I met a lawyer, who advised that I pull the case out from Ikwuano division to zone 9 as my uncle was manipulating the matter.
” I petitioned the AIG, who in turn invited IPO Pauline Eme. He asked Pauline to take all the parties involved to the station the next morning.
” On Pauline’s return, she claimed that both the DPO and the other policemen were not on sit”.
He also claimed that he visited an eye clinic in Umudike where the doctor said he had traumatic glaucoma as a result of the beatings. He said he went to Mary slessor clinic which confirmed same .
The petitioner said since then , nothing has been done to give him justice.
He pleaded the court to grant him a compensation of N7M to continue his monthly treatments.
The court adjourned to 23rd March, for cross examination.
