By Ikeugonna Eleke
An NGO, Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC), has waded into the crisis rocking Isuaniocha Commiunity in Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State.
There have been allegations of intimidation of some members of the community by police officers, hounding some parties and harassing them over a court case they instituted against other parties in the community over land issues and allegations of killing.
The Executive Director of RULAAC, Mr Okechukwu Nwanguma, in a press release, called on the Police Services Commission (PSC) to call on the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to cause police in Anambra to stop further harassment.
The release stated that: “We draw the attention of the PSC Chairman to a court order directing the Nigeria Police to stop further harassment, arrest and detention of members of Isuaniocha Community based on a matter currently before the Awka Federal High Court for which the court has granted the accused persons bail.
”Inspector Matthew Abu Michael (of Anambra State Police Command) has allegedly, in brazen and illegal display of raw police powers, been hounding the petitioners who are also family members of the victims of murder and attempted murder.
“As part of the machinations to keep the petitioners away from court, the said Inspector Matthew Abu Michael was also alleged to have masterminded the gazette of the names of 12 members of the community and obtained a dubious court order from far away Nasarawa State Senior District Court (outside the jurisdiction of the alleged crimes) declaring them wanted.
“RULAAC is urging the PSC Chairman to ensure that the IGP calls Inspector Matthew Abu Michael and others to order, to stop the harassment and violation of the rights of the petitioners, and to treat previous petitions to both the IGP and the PSC concerning the alleged discreditable conduct of Inspector Matthew Abu Michael and other police officers.”
