Human right group condemns police harassment of phone repairer

By: Omonigho Matthew
From: Udu

The Forum of Justice and Human Right Defence (FJHD) has condemned the unlawful assault on one Aruna Razaq by a policewoman, calling on the IGP to investigate the act in a bid to obtain a written statement from the victim.

The female police officer allegedly sprayed teargas into the eyes of Aruna Razaq at close range. The victim immediately fell down and began wailing to the amusement of other policemen and women present.

Barrister Oghenejabor Ikimi who spoke on behalf of the forum alleged that the victim was released on bail the next day to his relations for medical treatment after statements were obtained from him under duress by the police.

The FJHD Chairman also alleged that the victim, Aruna Razaq who is a musician and a phone repairer was arrested at the front of his resident at No. 3 Edon Street of Walter Odeli, Warri while returning home from work by a team of policemen from Warri ‘B’ Division of the Nigerian police station at about 8pm and was not allowed by the said policemen to either call any of his relatives or lawyers. He added that the victim refused initially to give the policemen his statement demanding to have audience with his lawyer or relatives and in the process, he was assaulted and tortured by a policewoman whom he claimed he can identify.

Barr. Oghenejabor Ikimi also alleged that a visit on Saturday 18 September by a team of lawyers from the Forum for Justice and Human Right Defence to the said police station confirmed the use of teargas canister on the victim by a police officer on duty. He however noted that the Divisional Police Officer was not on sit.

Barr. Ikimi drew the attention of the Delta State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Chief Victor Otomewo to the alleged harassment at the Human right legal clinic tagged “My right is my right” held at the Oza hall of Peabody hotel in Udu local government area.

Present at the forum were the Ovie of Olomu Kingdom, Owhorode Ogoni the 1st, Hon. Solomon Edojah, Rev. Agbudutah, Dr. Frank Ofili and Mr. Basil Essien, representative of the commissioner of police.