By Emma Okereh
A representative of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), at the ongoing Independent Investigative Panel on human rights atrocities committed by the defunct Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) and other units of the Nigerian Police Force, John Aikpokpo, on Friday stressed the powers of the panel saying “IIP-SARS has equal Powers with the High Court and as such its orders must be binding on relevant persons or institutions.
Aikpokpo made this assertion when an argument ensued between counsel to the Police and the jurists in the case of enforced disappearance, arbitrary arrest, unlawful detention and denial of Justice of Mr Lukman Suleiman.
The panel had ruled that Supol Christopher Monday now retired, ( key witness) should be recalled by counsel to the Police and made to appear before the panel to state his involvement in the alleged disappearance of Lukman Suleiman.
Ogbobe in his response said, it will be difficult for the police to serve an order compelling the appearance of the retired police officer. He insisted however that it is the responsibility of the panel to serve Mr Christopher personally through the Commissioner of Police Legal.
At the last hearing, Ogbobe informed the panel that he contacted the first respondent linked to the matter, one Supol Christopher Monday rtd, on his involvement in the aforementioned case. Christopher who said he had retired from service however directed Ogbobe to the new IPO in the matter.
Ogbobe who promised to produce the witness Emma, however failed to do so as the matter came up today for hearing.
In his words, Ogbobe said ” I couldn’t locate him, I don’t have a witness”.
Reacting, counsel to the petitioner, Divine Davies, advised that the defense of the police should be foreclosed and that the panel should order for written addresses to be made by both counsel and made available to the panel.
Objecting, Dr Garba Tetengi SAN, representing the Chairman, Justice Suleiman Galadima maintained that there was still need to know the whereabout of the victim.
He therefore sought the recall of the key respondent, Christopher Monday rtd to tell the panel what he knows concerning the disappearance of Mr Suleiman..
Monday Christopher rtd who was previously served notice of hearing, is to be served again, a written order through the CP Legal, compelling his appearance before the panel at the next sitting.
Tetengi SAN, stated that for the last time, Monday Christopher should appear before the panel, and that failure to appear before it at the next sitting will however leave the panel no other choice than to make certain inferences as the panel deems fit.
Ruling on the matter, Dr. Tetengi SAN stated that the matter before the panel was a very important one , since the entire world is desirous of knowing the whereabout of Mr. Lukman Suleiman wether dead or alive.
Consequently, the first respondent, Monday Christopher was ordered through the Commissioner of Police Legal to appear before the panel.
Matter was adjourned to November 24th 2021 for defence, appearance of Christopher Monday and for the police to make necessary findings on the whereabout of Lukman Suleiman.
