A petitioner who appeared before the Judicial Commission of Inquiry has said he does not know the whereabouts of his brother, Sotonye Horsfall, who was arrested in 2020 by policemen attached to anti-kidnapping unit.
The petitioner, Horsfall Mac-Jay, told newsmen that his brother who was framed was arrested on April 15, 2020 over an allegation of kidnapping.
He said that he came before the commission because he believed the commission would do justice in the case adding that up till time of speaking he did not know his whereabouts.
He said that his brother was arrested by policemen attached to anti-kidnapping unit, Iwofe Division, alongside four others.
He said that he brought his case before the panel so that they would look into it and ensure justice would be done.
Mac-Jay said after they were arrested they were incarcerated for four years awaiting trial but were discharged and acquitted by the court because there was no evidence against them.
He said his brother was later arrested after his release adding that his car was also impounded.
He said they had gone to court but the police had refused to turn up for the case and also refused to obey a court’s order to release the car.
He said that they did not know his brother’s whereabouts.
The petitioner also said he was living in fear because of attempts made on his life for trying to know whereabouts of his brother.
He said the panel should look into the case and ensure that justice would be done, saying it was the hope of the common man.
Mac-Jay said he wants his brother and his car released and demanded compensation of one hundred million naira (N100m) if he would not be found.
Speaking to reporters, the petitioner said: “I appear(ed) before this honourable panel in respect of my missing brother Sotonye Horsfall. I believe the panel is going to do justice. Up till date my brother’s whereabout(s) is unknown. They were arrested by Anti-Kidnapping Unit.”
Asked if he was not arrested over an allegation of kidnapping, the petitioner said it was not so.
The Judicial Commission of Inquiry was set up by the Rivers State government last year to investigate alleged acts of violence, torture, brutality, murder and violation of fundamental rights of citizens committed by the officers and men and operatives of the Nigerian Police Force in the state.
The commission is chaired by Honourable Justice C.I. Uriri (retd) who had assured at the inaugural sitting that it would thoroughly look into petitions brought before it and to make recommendations accordingly.
