Police Brutality in Anambra: Rice Farmer Says Police Shot Him Twice In His Farm
Ugochukwu Ekwunugo, a rice miller says a police team from Ajali Division, Orumba South Local Government of Anambra, Southeast Nigeria entered his farm and shot him twice and also declined to issue him a report to enable him to go for medical treatment.
Ekwenugo who appeared before the Judicial Panel of Inquiry (JPI) sitting Awka, the state capital on Tuesday said the incident took place on November 4, 2017.
In his petition, the victim said he had gone to regular court to press for damages but the police who were the defendants had never shown up in court.
The rice farmer said he was in his workplace Oganiru Cooperative Rice Mill, Omogho in the local government area when a police patrol van marked No. 202 from Ajalli Police Division arrived at 3.30 pm and barricaded the only entrance to the mill with their vehicle.
Ekwenugo said he pleaded with the police driver to move the vehicle so that customers could have access to the mill.
Rather, he said the leader of the team who ordered a Sergeant, named Emmanuel Agodo to shoot and kill him earlier rained insults on him.
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“Upon the order from the leader, Agodo shot me first in the left arm and as I tried to run away he shot me again on the waist and the bullet pierced me from behind and went out through the stomach,” Ekwenugo said.
“When my brother went for a police report to facilitate my treatment, he was denied the same and that was how he had to go to Oko Police Station to obtain one.”
“This enabled me to receive treatment at Amaku General Hospital, Awka and later Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu Teaching Hospital, Awka,” he said.
Ekwenugo who was led in evidence by his counsel, J. V. C. Okoli, said he spent N421, 200 on hospital bills.
He prayed the panel to award him N150 million in general and exemplary damages against the defendants.
Though, Ekwunugo said the matter which was filed in suit No AG/93/2017, presided over by the Justice O. A. Ezeike, was decided in his favour in spite the fact that police failed to appear.
“The police neither appeared in court nor called any witness to testify on its behalf,” he said.
This, he said was why he approached the panel as the police had displayed nonchalance and would not comply with the ruling if not compelled.
Justice Veronica Umeh, chairman of the panel adjourned hearing on the petition to subsequent sitting.
Credit: HumAngle
