ASP David Agbo who participated in the arrest of Chukwudumueme Onwuamadike a.k.a. Evans who was accused of kidnappingg in June, 2017 on Tuesday told the IIP-SARS that it was gang members of late Edward Leera and one Nnamdi (crime suspects) that shot them during an exchange of gunshots with the police team who were with the two suspects on investigative mission.
Agbo who stated this in his testimonies before the panel chaired by Justice Suleiman Galadima (rtd) noted that it was not police officers that shot the two suspects and that while the suspects were allegedly leading them to the area where their gang members usually hide their ammunition, the gang members open fire on them.
According to Agbo, himself and other members of his investigative team only came together again 10 minutes after the shooting stopped, only for them to discover that Edward and Nnamdi, who were chained together have been shot by their gang members while they shot sporadically in the bush.
He told the panel that Edward Dumisara died on the 20th of June, 2020 in the course of investigation into alleged murder, attempted murder and kidnapping of some civilians in Port Harcourt, Rivers State
He alleged before the 11- Member panel that the Edward and his gang members conspired with his gang members to brutally murder late Sgt. Habila Salihu and Nasir Pade and also attempted to murder Mr Nnamdi Ihunukara and Innocent Onuoha
It was at that juncture, he said that he sent signals to his Superiors including the Commander of IGP’s IRT, DCP Abba Kyari who instructed them to take the victims to hospital and recover the arms allegedly used by the gang members .
.They were taken to UPTH in Rivers State when s private hospital failed to admit them but rather referred them to UPTH for proper medical attention
During cross examination by counsel to the complainant, Victor Giwa, ASP Agbo admitted that he collected the sum of N20,000 from Edward after his temporary release from police custody because Edward now deceased said he needed to show appreciation on how he (ASP Agbo) treated him while he was in detention .
Investigating Police Officer (IPO) Agbo also affirmed that he collected another N5,000 from the deceased brother and complainant, Confidence Leera because the complainant according to him said he needed to show some appreciation.
On why Edward was not released by the police despite a court order from River State High Court , DSP Essien Edet, who is 2nd respondent in the petition said that the order was obtained on ground of falsehood which made the police to file processes to set it aside
It was at this juncture that the panel cautioned him saying that is not for him to decide whether to obey the court order or not adding that the right procedure would have been for the police to obey the order and release the victim, before appealing the order
It will be recalled that Confidence Leera had filed a petition before the panel praying it order the police to explain the whereabouts of his brother, Edward whom he said was a welder and taxi driver in PortHarcourt before he was allegedly arrested and detained by the police .
He has also informed the panel that the police released the victim in August 2019 before he was later rearrested and detained despite court order that he should be released unconditionally .
Against the foregoing, Confidence and his family is praying the panel to release the corpse of late Edward in order for him to be given a proper burial.
The matter was adjourned to 12th of April, 2021 for adoption of addresses.
