The IIP-SARS on Friday adjourned till November 25, 2021, for the Nigerian Police Force to defend a petition of an alleged extra-judicial killing of Mr. Emmanuel Awulu.
The panel will also hear the cross-examination of two witnesses, who are related to the deceased on the same date.
A member of the 11-Member panel, Dr. Garba Tetengi SAN who conducted the sitting on behalf of the Chairman, Justice Suleiman Galadima (rtd) adjourned the matter and directed counsel to the Complainant, James Chukwuemerie to ensure the presence of family members of the late Emmanuel Awulu who are to be cross-examined by the police.
Earlier, counsel to the Complainant informed the panel that family members of late Emmanuel Awulu, travelled to their village for a function and therefore could not be present at the panel.
Similarly, counsel to the police, James Idachaba informed the panel that the 1st respondent, Inspector Atuma Cletus of the defunct SARS travelled to Anambra state for the gubernatorial election and that he would do the needful to secure his presence on the adjourned date.
Meanwhile, the panel struck out a petition of an alleged violation of the right to liberty and right to own property filed by Chukwuemeka Hills Asiegbu for want of diligent prosecution.
Counsel to the panel, Halilu Adamu who made an oral application asking the panel to strike out the petition observed that this is the second time both the Complainant and his counsel will be absent at the panel. He said that the counsel was reminded about the matter today on the phone and he did not appear even though he promised to attend.
Counsel to the police James Idachaba did not object to the matter being struck out. The matter was accordingly struck out by the panel.
In another matter, the panel adjourned the case of an alleged threat to life, inhuman, and degrading treatment by the police against Bashir Ahmed till November 24, 2021, for defense.
Garba Tetengi SAN who represented the chairman of the panel Justice Sulieman Galadima rtd has given the police till 24 of November 2021 to defend the case brought against them by the complainant.
When the matter came up on Thursday, counsel to the police, Malik Taiwo pleaded with the panel that they will present ASP Ibrahim Aliyu at the next adjourned date.
The complainant, Ahmed had told the panel how he was kidnapped by some men of the defunct SARs between Samaru Shika Road, Zaria, Kaduna at the instance of an unknown military officer called Sarkin mile Goma and Mai Anguwan dan ‘ayu.
Furthermore, the complainant informed the panel that he was taken to the bush and tortured for 90 minutes thereafter the police demanded for ransom from his parents.
However, Bashir said an account of one Saleh Zheshele was sent for payment of the ransom, but the police later decided to collect cash.
According to the complainant, he reported the matter to the area commander police command headquarters Zaria, police claim there was no proof for his allegations but rather charged him for criminal conspiracy, giving false information among other things.
