The Committee for the Defence of Human Right (CDHR) has petitioned the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 11, Bashir Makama, seeking his intervention in an alleged suppression of justice by the Ondo State Police Command over a murder case against a police officer serving with the command.
A copy of the petition, which was made available to journalists in Akure on Monday and signed by chairman of Ondo State chapter of the human rights group, Alfred Olorunwo, accused Undie Adie, the Commissioner of Police (CP) in Ondo, of using his position to suppress the murder case.
The petition dated March 6, 2020 and received at the AIG’s office, Osogbo on March 9, 2020, reads, “On December 5, 2019, one Akinrodolu Ebenezer went to Ubine Eugene (CSP); the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) at Olofin police division, Idanre, Ondo State and lodged complaint which ordinarily is never part of the scope and duty of Nigeria Police to meddle into which is enforcing collection of money or due for Idanre day celebration 2019.
“Thereafter, Ubine Eugene ordered Akorede Samuel (Constable) to follow Akinrodolu Ebenezer to camp in Idanre towards enforcing payment of Idanre day celebration 2019.
At the commander’s camp, Idanre, Akinrodolu Ebenezer collected money from one John Adie and when he demanded receipts, the former was giving excuses. In the long run, Akorede Samuel struck one Godwin Odey with a heavy stick on the chest; the said Godwin Odey started vomiting blood. Akorede Samuel and his boss detained Godwin Odey and some of his townsmen at Olofin police division, a few days later Godwin Odey died at a hospital”.
In the petition, the chairman of the human rights group said the CDHR on being informed of the incident sent a petition to CP Undie Adie.
The copy of the petition written to Adie which was dated on December 16, 2019 and received on the same date at his office reads, “Petition against grand criminal conspiracy, assault occasioning harm, grievous bodily harm, to members of Ogoja community and murder of one Godwin Odey”.
The petition also made available to journalists reads further, “It is to our report that one Akorede Samuel, a police constable, Bode (Superintendent of Police) and three other policemen attached to Olofin police division Idanre brutally murdered one Godwin Odey and assaulted some others with grievous bodily harm.
“These police officers acted upon the instructions of the duo of Oliver and Adanigbo who wanted to enforce the payment of Idanre Day celebration due. Kindly act in earnest and bring to book the nefarious acts of these police officers and their sponsors”.
According to CDHR, the CP, Undie Adie has never approved the petition for any further investigations or action. But rather using his position to suppress the matter.
The CDHR urged AIG Makama to revisit the crime and cause discreet investigation and bring to book the criminal acts of Akinrodolu Ebenezer and Akorede Samuel and the attempt to suppress and pervert justice as remains of Godwin Odey were still in a morgue.
The human rights group maintained that it would continue defending, sustaining and promoting fundamental human rights guaranteed in the Nigerian constitution.
Reacting to the allegations in a phone call, CP Adie debunked the allegations saying it was not true.
“Last week they came here and I had to warn them because they are the one committing crime in Idanre. Is it the only Idanre that we have human rights group? So it is because they came here and I warned them that is why they’re writing petition and they must stop it. So it is not a story to be made”.
