As the Independent Investigation panel on Human Rights violation by the defunct SARS and other units of the Nigerian police continues sitting in Abuja, a Counsel to the police Fidelis Ogbobe has informed the panel that, the police who shot a petitioner, Tairu Garba acted within the ambit of the law.
Recall that a petitioner, Tairu Garba had approached the panel over alleged torture, cruel inhuman and degrading treatment that led to the loss of his leg.
He told the panel that sometimes in 2019 he reported to Enjema police division Kogi state of something suspected to be charms and other fetish materials was deposited in his community by a rival community.
One Inspector Atabo Okpanachi and five other police officers came in a police van one morning, and launched a massive attack on the entire community, shooting sporadically, beating and kicking everyone with all form of degrading treatment.
While trying to inquire from the police the reason for their actions, he Tairu Garba was shot at close range by inspector Okpanachi which led to the amputations of one of his legs.
However, Inspector Okpanachi who is the accused in the matter had before the panel exonerated himself when he told the panel that he didn’t shoot the complainant but his colleague, Ali Abubakar pulled the trigger and shot the bullet that led to the amputation of Tairu Garba’s leg.
Meanwhile, Counsel to the police Fidelis Ogbobe informed the Investigative that, the shooting of the petitioner was justified in law, citing the fact that the life of the officer in question was in danger as the petitioner attempted to snatch police riffle.
Mr. Ogbobe while reading his written address before the panel said the complainant has not been able to prove his case beyond reasonable doubt and that the case has some elements of criminality.
During cross examination, the accused Inspector Opanachi told the panel that shootings were done for self-defense, as men on rampage descended on the police vehicle and attacked the police men which according to him led to the shootings that affected the petitioner.
Corroborating the testimony of the petitioner one Gabriel Momoh told the panel that the community did reported
the matter to the police and the police refused to follow them to witness the charm they claim they saw in their community because it was late and no logistics for such a distress call.
The matter was adjourned for report.
Ime N
