Killer Cop, ASP Nuhu Usman and slain victim, Oghenemine in background
Calls for prosecution of killer policeman within Delta State
* Suspects compromise
* Warns legal action if demands is ignored
By John Egie
The Human Right Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Effurun Branch has demanded that killer policeman, ASP Nuhu Usman who murdered Oghenemine Ogidi in cold blood on April 26, at the premises of the Effurun Police Area Command and others involved in the case be brought before the appropriate High Court within the Effurun Judicial Division, so that the Director of Public Prosecution, the Ministry of Justice and the Attorney General of Delta State can commence the Criminal proceedings as required by Law.
The demand is contained in a release issued and signed by G.J.Ikpesu Esq, M.E. Ukusare Esq and Ijeoma Malasowe Esq being Chairman, Alternate Chairman and Member of the Human Right Committee of the NBA in Effurun respectively.
The Committee recalled that the murder of Citizen Oghenemine Ogidi, took place in Effurun in Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State of Nigeria and pointed out that in all similar incidents, the State Attorney-General took over the prosecution.
” Therefore, by the provision of the Applicable laws, it is the Director of Public Prosecution in conjunction with the Attorney General of Delta State and the Ministry of Justice Delta State that has the powers to prosecute the said ASP Nuhu Usman and others involved in the case.
” We are aware that the ASP Nuhu Usman and others involved in the case have been dismissed by the Police Force and therefore no longer Police Officers, going by the Press Statement of Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu.
” So the Million-dollar question is: where is ASP Nuhu Usman and others involved in the case? Why has ASP Nuhu Usman and others involved in the case not been handed over to the Director of Public Prosecution Delta State for legal prosecution as required by the Law? Who is stepping on the breaks to prevent the swift prosecution of this case?
” For the avoidance of doubt, the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999(As Amended) provides that a suspect arrested by the Police shall be brought before a Court of competent jurisdiction within 24 hours as the case maybe.
” Under the Administration of the Criminal Justice Law of Delta State, ASP Nuhu Usman and others involved in the case should be brought before the appropriate High Court to commence remand proceedings and the case file sent to the DPP for legal advice within 14 days.”
The Committee expressed worry noting that by not releasing ASP Nuhu Usman and others involved in the case to the appropriate authority, in this case the Director of Public Prosecution in conjunction with the Attorney General of Delta State and the Ministry of Justice Delta State for commencement of prosecution, after three weeks of the occurrence of the incident, “We are afraid that the case is on its way to being compromised!”
But the Committee warned that if no action is taken in line with its demand, the NBA Effurun will institute an action before the appropriate Court for an Order of Mandamus compelling the Attorney General of Delta State to assume the prosecution without recourse to the Police.
