Imo: NBA Petitions IGP Over Alleged Assault Of Member By Police
The Imo State branch of the Nigerians Bar Association, NBA, has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun over an alleged assault and unlawful detention meted out on one of their members, Chigozie Chinaka by one, ACP David Ogenyi, Area Commander of Owerri Municipality and his men.
In a press conference held at the Bar Centre, Owerri, weekend, the Imo NBA demanded among other things, the immediate suspension or transfer of ACP Ogenyi to allow unbiased investigation in the matter.
Speaking on behalf of the association, Ugochukwu Alinnor, NBA Chairman, Owerri branch said, “the Bar officially received a written complaint from our colleague, Chigozie Chanaka, Esq., on Saturday 30th September, 2023, at the Monthly General Meeting of NBA Owerri Branch, over the assault, humiliation, torture and unlawful detention meted out on him by ACP David Ogenyi, the Police Area Commander, Owerri Municipality, Imo State and men under his command and control on Monday and Tuesday the 25th and 26th September, 2023, in the course of providing legal services to his client.
“That ACP David Ogenyi in an attempt to cover his unlawful acts arraigned our colleague before a Magistrate Court 6, Owerri on three count charge in Charge No. OW/511c/2023, between COP vs. Chinaka Chigozie on Tuesday the 26th day of September, 2023.
He continued, “On the strength of the above, the NBA Owerri Branch at the monthly general meeting held on Saturday the 30th day of September 2023, made a resolution, wherein they strongly condemned the acts of the ACP David Ogenyi and the officers involved in the acts, and called for the immediate suspension of ACP David Ogenyi as Area Commander, Owerri Municipal, to guarantee a thorough and impartial investigation of the grave allegations leveled against him and other officers within the command.
“NBA Owerri Branch also constituted a three (3) man Committee to undertake processes that would ensure that the perpetrators of the unlawful acts are made to face the full wrath of the law.”
Earlier, while reacting to the allegations leveled against the Area Commander, the Imo State Police Command spokesman, ASP Henry Okoye said,
“It is most unfortunate and preposterous that Barrister Chinaka Chigozie will mislead legal luminaries into publishing on social media a sensitive issue that borders on the conduct of a very Senior Police Officer without investigating same to ascertain the true facts in issue.
“Without any ambivalence, the Command wishes to inform the general public that information being conveyed by the Imo NBA is false, malicious, and misleading.
“The Command viewed this as a calculated attempt to tarnish the person of the Area Commander and the confidence already earned in the minds of Imolites and the general public.”
“In view of the above, the Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmed Muhammed Barde has appealed for calm and formed a high-powered investigating team which will include members of the Nigeria Bar Association, Imo Branch for discreet investigation into the remote cause of the incident.” he added.