Anambra State Judicial panel of inquiry on police brutality, extra judicial killings and other related matters has said it has no power to issue warrant of arrest on the Inspector General of Police and others for refusing to honour their invitation.
Chairman of the panel, Justice Veronica Umeh, who stated this on Tuesday, while responding to Mr Abdul Mahmud, counsel to five petitioners, said they summoned the Inspector -General of Police by Red Star courier agency with receipt number: 19459287 but neither the IG nor his representative showed up. According to Umeh, the only mandates of the panel was to listen to, investigate and recommend compensation for victims of Police brutality.
Mahmud was counsel to Obiora Akabike who filed a petition against Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) for the extra-judicial killing of Ekene Akabuike, E. C. Adimmachukwu for the extra-judicial killing of Obinna Adimmachukwu, Ada Ilonanya and family for extra-judicial killing of Chijioke Ilonanya by SARS, and Onyinye Maureen and family for the extra-judicial killing of Okwuchukwu Onyemelukwe by SARS.
He reminded the panel that in a regular court, if someone summoned refused to show-up the alternative was to issue a warrant of arrest.
Mahmud, following the panel’s reply, closed his case, praying that all his prayers should be granted on the basis of uncontested affidavit on aspects of restitution to those concerned and apology by the police.
