By Emma Okereh
A member of the independent investigative panel on human rights atrocities by SARS and other units of the Nigerian Police Force on Friday expressed the panel’s disgust over what he described as unprofessional attitude of the police.
John Aikpokpo Martins, who is representing the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), at the ongoing panel sitting in Abuja made this known while lamenting the lacklustre conduct of the police in carrying out several orders issued, compelling the appearance of key respondents in matters filed against them.
The case of alleged enforced disappearance of one Mr Morris Fater Ashwe which is before the panel has suffered setbacks, owing to the failure of counsel to the police to produce D P C Abba Kyari and IPO Makinde who are principal respondents allegedly in possession of information on the whereabout of the victim.
When the matter came up for hearing at the last adjourned date, lead counsel to the police, James Idachaba Esq cited the recent suspension of DCP Abba Kyari from office as a major challenge in getting him to appear before the 11 man panel.
Idachaba further informed the panel that IPO Makinde, also linked to the matter has been bedridden for months and so could not make any appearance.
Idachaba however appealed to the panel to make a written order to the IGP to produce institutional records relating to the matter, in addition to compeling the appearance of the respondents before the panel.
At the resumed hearing on Friday, the panel noted with dismay that none of the orders made to the IGP was was carried out despite evidence showing that had been served.
Reacting to the abysmal conduct of the police towards the matter, an angry Justice Suleiman Galadima rtd, Chairman of the panel gave the complainant one week to serve a written address to the police counsel.
The matter was adjourned for panel’s report.
