Public interest and human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong narrated police brutality that his colleague, Ernest Okpaga suffered for representing a client whose offense is yet to be known.
Effiong said his colleague had gone to the station upon being summoned by the personnel that they are ready to take his client’s statement and Okpaga had gone to the station, however he suffered assault and brutality.
@InibeheEffiong post read: “My colleague, Ernest Okpaga, Esq., a member of the legal team representing Abiodun Thomas was dragged, beaten mercilessly and disgraced thoroughly by policemen at the Nigeria Police Force National Cyber Crime Centre (NPF-NCCC) in Abuja.
“Since the arrest of Abiodun Thomas, the police failed to disclose the reasons for her arrest and detention to her and also failed to take her statement.
“Today, the police suddenly called the legal team that they were ready to record her statement. Ernest was delegated to go to the NPF-NCCC.
“I have known Ernest for a few years, he is a gentleman. Attached is the photograph of Ernest.
“Below Is The Direct Account Of What Transpired As Narrated To Me By Ernest
“Earlier today, the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), in whose facility, Abiodun Thomas is detained, denied her lawyers access to their client, insisting that the IPO must be present. Meanwhile her IPO is at the National Cybercrime Centre, while Thomas Abiodun is detained at the FCID.
“After several calls and hours of waiting, the Police brought her from the FCID to the Cybercrime centre.
“Ernest Okpaga, Esq., a counsel in the law firm of S. M. Oyeghe & Co., accompanied her to make her statement today 19th December, 2024 at the NPF NCCC, after 7 days of her arrest and detention without being informed of her offence nor her statement recorded in flagrant violation of the law.
“Thomas Abiodun, had been complaining of her deteriorating health condition, and has been bleeding, but the Police in their usual way refused to attend to her medically. This is more so as she is an asmatic and an ulcer patient.
“After Thomas Abiodun finished making her statement today, while the lawyer was getting to the exit gate of the police building, some officers shouted his name that he should come back.
“When he returned and enquired what the issue was, he was told that Thomas Abiodun collapsed shortly after making her statement.
“The counsel informed the police officers that they should take her to the hospital for emergency medical attention, and that previously while she was in custody that she has complained that she is sick but no medical care was given to her.
“The Assistant Director Admin at NPF NCCC immediately ordered police officers to lock him up together with Thomas Abiodun at the interrogation room until Thomas Abiodun regains consciousness before he is allowed to go.
“The lawyer attempted resisting them from dragging him to be locked up as ordered by the Assistant Director Admin in NCCC, and he was assaulted and beaten mercilessly by the police officers.
“After he persisted in his resistance from being locked up at their facility, the Assistant Director Admin ordered that they should hurriedly take Thomas Abiodun along with the lawyer to the Police hospital. Thomas Abiodun was taken to the medical facility at Area 11 Garki Abuja, until she regained consciousness.
“Thomas Abiodun is currently on admission and receiving medical treatment at the said hospital.” He narrated.
By; Adeoye Olorunseun Elizabeth
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