As the alleged death of Chima Ikwunado in the hands of the police in Rivers State draws more outrage, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Rivers State branch says the State Police Commissioner, CP Dandaura Mustapha’s and spokesperson Nnamdi Omoni also be blamed and both should honourably resign.
The Chairman of NBA Port Harcourt branch, Sylvester Adaka in a media chat with Journalists explained that the call for CP Dandaura to resign became necessary following the revelation by the spokesperson of Rivers State Police Command, DSP, Nnamdi Omoni that the Commander of Eagle Crack Unit, SP Benson Adetuyi lied to the Police Authorities in Rivers and Abuja that a previous autopsy was conducted on Ikwunado when no such thing happened.
Mr. Adaka said it was surprising that CP Dandaura did not verify the claims by SP Benson before going on air to tell the public that autopsy report conducted on late Ikwunado showed the he died of high sugar content.
The NBA Chairman noted that with the development, public distrust for the police has heightened making it difficult to believe or have confidence in the Police anymore under the leadership of CP Dandaura.
According to the NBA Chief, it is natural for the Commissioner of Police and Mr. Omoni to resign in order to avoid this loss of confidence in the Police by the Public.
In a related development, the family of late Chima Ikwunado has disclosed that they are not interested in any form of settlement.
Elder brother to late Chima, Anthony Ikwunado maintained that the family will continue to push for Justice despite pressure from some quarters on the family to settle with the Police
Mr. Ikwunado said it is only proper that all the Police officers involved in the alleged torture and killing of his younger brother face justice.
It would be recalled that Chima Ikwunado was arrested on 19th December 2019 by officers of Eagle Crack Police Unit. They were later accused of armed robbery and cultism. Mr Ikwunado died on December 23rd 2019 following alleged torture by the officers which sparked off pubic outcry.
The Spokesperson of the Rivers State Police had claimed autopsy report conducted on late Chima showed he died of high sugar, a claim family members of the deceased and Civil Society Organizations rejected.
