The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has called for an investigation into allegation of assault, humiliation, torture unlawful detention of a lawyer, Chigozie Chinaka, Esq., by ACP David Ogenyi, the Police Area Commander, Owerri Municipality.

Lately, there have been reports of harassment and intimidation of lawyers by police officers in the discharge of their professional duties.

Signed by the National Coordinator, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, (HURIWA), Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, the press release emphasized the need for the Police Service Commission (PSC) to wake up to its statutory duties and fish out killers and violators of human rights embedded in the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

 The group said the PSC should not allow the NPF to become a “lawless” and “corrupt” institution that undermines the administration of justice and the dignity of citizens.

HURIWA urged the federal government, the Inspector General of Police, and the Attorney General of the Federation to take immediate steps to investigate and prosecute Ogenyi and his men for their alleged crimes. The group also called on the public to support the NBA branches in their quest for justice and accountability.

In a press release, the body, which supported the call by the branches of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Imo State, has equally called for a prompt, decisive and open investigation into the matter.

The embattled lawyer was arrested and detained by Ogenyi and his men for taking pictures of a vehicle belonging to his client, who was also in police custody since June 5, 2023.

In the statement, the legal body further accused Ogenyi of abusing his power and violating the rights of Chinaka and his client. They expressed solidarity with the NBA branches and condemned the actions of Ogenyi and his men as “barbaric” and “unacceptable”. The group said such acts amount to “an affront to the rule of law and a threat to democracy”.