The families of two victims of extrajudicial killing, Mr Peter Ikechi and Chief Peter Ekwealor have prayed the Independent Investigative Panel on alleged human rights violations by the defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad to grant twenty million naira compensation each, for the death of their children in police custody.
Submitting a written address to the panel in Abuja, Counsel to the petitioner, Mr Ebenezer Egwuatu said the damages would assuage the pains his clients had gone through as a result of the demise of their children in an unwarranted circumstance.
Mr Egwuatu said since evidence before the panel showed that the duo were extra-judicially murdered by the force, the amount would assist the widows and children of the deceased in their upkeep and education.
However, counsel to the Police, Mr Fidelix Ogwobe urged the panel to dismiss the application as the case was not proven beyond reasonable doubt that the indicted officers killed Mr Peter Ikechi and Chief Peter Ekwealor.
Mr Ogwobe rather sought compensation for the family of a police officer who lost his life during the incident.
But counsel to the petitioner, Mr Ebenezer Egwuatu opposed the plea stating that the police did not have any prior complaint before the panel.
The Acting Chairman of the panel adjourned the matter for report.
Mr Peter Ikechi and Chief Peter Ekwealor were said to have died in police custody after a communal clash between Odekpe and Alaluga Communities of Anambra State in June 2020.
Bose Ijelekhai
pub-5160901092443552
Related Posts
