A petitioner has said that he was warned off by the police after he had paid the sum of two hundred thousand naira for the release of his son and cousin.
The petitioner Mr Kotienbo Herbert who appeared before the Judicial Commission of Inquiry later told newsmen that he paid the sum of two hundred thousand naira to the police in order to secure the release of his son, Herbert ThankGod and his cousin, Nelson Ajumogobia, who had been arrested on Iwofe Road in Port-Harcourt by the police in July 2016.
He said they were arrested as they went to demand money from someone they supply fish saying he was told of the arrest and that they were taken to Borokiri to the office of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
The petitioner said although he paid the money requested by the police, they had refused to release his son and his cousin.
Mr Herbert said: “After two weeks when I went there they said that I should look for money to give them. They told me it’s about five hundred thousand (and I said) I don’t have that kind of money (and later brought) out two hundred thousand (naira and) they collected the two hundred thousand (naira) thinking that when they collect the two hundred thousand (naira) they would release them.”
He said that the officer in charge became angry with him after collecting the money and had warned him off the premises of the station.
He also recalled giving them money to buy food for his son and his cousin.
The petitioner said that he called his lawyer who suggested they should write a letter to the Commissioner of Police.
He said that he had not seen his son since he was arrested.
Asked why they were arrested the petitioner said that they were arrested on an allegation of kidnapping.
He said that he wants the commission to order the police to release his son and if they were dead release their bodies and pay compensation of two hundred and fifty million naira.
He earlier submitted documents to the commission which were admitted as evidence.
During cross-examination the petitioner said that his son was arrested by the police alleging that he was killed by the police.
He also said that they wrote petition to the Commissioner of Police over the case.
There was no re-examination of the petitioner by his counsel and the matter was slated for conference.
At the commission for the cross-examination was the counsel to the petitioner, Barrister King Gabriel and that of the Commissioner of Police. S. B. Egop.
The Judicial Commission of Inquiry was set up 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 Nigerian Police Force in Rivers State and make recommendations to state government.
