Police extortion and human rights abuses: Edo State Police Command raises bar

* Appoints Police Lawyer as Investigator/ Desk Officer

By Jon Egie

Edo State Police Command has raised the bar in the fight against police extortion and human rights abuses among it’s personnel.

In it’s effort to nip the issue on the bud, management of the Command has approved the appointment of a Police Lawyer as a Human Right and Extortion Investigation Desk officer in the CP’s office at the State Headquarters, Benin City.

A release issued by the Command’s DPPRO, ASP Jennifer Iwegbu today, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, CP Abutu Yaro said a Committee to that effect has also been constituted.

According to the release, the Committee is headed by Barr Polycarp Odion, LLB, (A.A.U), BL, and he is domiciled at the State Command headquarters, The Nigeria Police Force, GRA Benin-city.

“Anyone with complaints of excesses of Police action/ corrupt practises within Edo State should reach the Desk Officer on this phone number 08051554700.

“Human Rights groups/ Civil Society Organisations and Nigeria Bar association, Benin-city should reach the Desk Officer on 08070700176.”

To serve as facilitators to the Officer, 3 Human Rights Lawyers drawn from the Nigeria Bar Association, Benin-city Branch and 2 from the Civil Liberty Organization, Benin-city including the NUJ Chairman have been selected.

The facilitators are to assist in collation, processing complaints and collaboration in the enquiries, and also assisting the CP in dealing with such matters. They are;

1. Paula Agbale , Chairman

2. NUJ Chairman , Festus Alekhe, 07038221884

3. Lizzy Iyamu Ojo- Secretary Human Rights Committee +2348055232158

4. Amaechi Nwaozor- PDSS, 08032301666

5. Emmanuel Okorie

6. Osayuki Agbonghae +2347036424400

“To this end, the Commissioner of Police, Edo State Command, CP Abutu Yaro, fdc, calls for collaboration and partnership to address corrupt practises and Human Rights infringement matters.

” The CP assures members of the public that this policy and strategy emplaced is to ensure that the Police remain effective and efficient in its fight against violent crimes and maintain cordial relationship with the public devoid of corruption and Human Rights abuses in the state.” The release enthused .