A retired army officer, Mohammed Labaran on Tuesday told an Independent Investigative Panel on the defunct SARS and other units of the Nigerian Police Force on alleged human rights violations that his arrest by personnel of the Nigerian Police was Malicious.
Disclosing to the facts finding panel in Abuja, Labaran refuted the claim by the Police that his arrest was made in good faith.
In the matter which bothered on alleged unlawful arrest and detention; Torture, inhuman and degrading treatment, denial of the right to property and abuse of office, Labaran had earlier told the panel that towards his retirement from the Nigerian Army, he travelled from Rivers State to Awe Local Government in Nasarawa State in order to access traditional treatment of a gunshot wound he sustained years ago in the course of duty, which had developed some complications.
Narrating further, Labaran told the panel that while at Awe, the police arrested him, accusing him of the murder of Kudirat Abiola and also an attempt by him to kill Sanusi Lamido Sanusi (The deposed Emir of Kano).
“Even after being identified by 117 Battalion Nigeria Army as their personnel, the DCP Operations ordered my continued detention on the grounds that my matter was already before the IGP and that only he could order for my release”, Labaran told the panel.
The matter which was last heard on March 1st, 2021 was adjourned for continuation of the hearing and to allow counsel to the Police to examine allegations made by the petitioner with a view to arriving at the true position of the issues raised.
At the resumed hearing yesterday, Labaran was cross-examined by counsel to the police, Malik D Taiwo Esq.
Malik further informed the panel that he will not be calling any witness in the matter and that he was indeed prepared to make his defence.
The complainant is seeking among other reliefs; the refund of N1.4m withdrawn from his bank account by the police while in detention, refund of N2m paid in regaining his freedom.
Also the return of his pair of full combat desert camouflage uniforms still in possession of the Police
The matter was, however, adjourned to November 25, 2021, for defence.