Late Chima Ikwunado Autopsy Report: Ikokwu Motor Spare Parts Dealers Shut Down Over Police Intransigence
The Ikokwu Spare Parts Dealers in Port- Harcourt have vowed to do everything legally possible to ensure that their colleagues who were illegally arrested and dehumanized by the police otherwise known as “Ikokwu four” including late Chima Ikwunado that was allegedly tortured to death get justice.
Speaking with newsmen outside the court room Tuesday March 10, 2020 the chairman of the Ikokwu Spare Part Dealers Union, High Chief Anthony Alaribeole said despite the pressure they face to drop the matter, the union would not relent in this matter until justice is achieved.
He disclosed that inspite of the #200,000 paid by the family to secure the services of a Pathologist to ascertain the real cause of Late Chima`s death, the police are sitting on the report which he noted, might have indicted them.
The Union said it smelt Executive coverage as according to him, uptill now there is no word from the state governor, Nyesom Wike, the IGP, the Commissioner of police, Rivers State command, the RSHA or the National Assembly over the injustice meted to his members.
According to the chairman, “What we want is the Autopsy report on the late Chima Ikwunado to be released to the family for further action;
The policemen who erroneously arrested and tortured the victims to be paraded to the public and prosecuted and as well the four living victims who were dehumanized compensated, adding that there would be no peace until justice is achieved.
“While the court process is ongoing, we are only a pressure group to ensure that the right thing is done and we cannot compromise our position”, he declared.
Meanwhile, the presiding Judge, Justice J.K Omotosho frowned at the police refusal to release the said autopsy report as he advised at the adjourned date.
When the matter came up for hearing Tuesday, March 10, 2020 the judge asked the family lawyer of the Ikwunados to regularize their papers and apply properly for the report so he could make a formal order to the police to that effect. The matter was adjourned to Thursday March 17, 2020 for further hearing.
On the other hand, the Ikokwu 4 were in court to press for their Fundamental Human Rights violation against the police which will equally come up the same day for hearing.
According to the chairman of the Civil Society Organization (CSO) Erefa Georgewill “We shall ensure that these persons who were wrongfully arrested and tortured by the police get compensated”, he said.
