Photo: IGP Usman Alkali
Chief Gabriel Giwa-Amu, a human rights lawyer, has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police over alleged harassment of one Benjamin Amu and nine of his family members by some officers at Zone-2 Police Command.
According to Giwa-Amu, a very senior police officer at Zone-2 Command, in collaboration with one Inspector, had been harassing and intimidating some members of the family, who are his clients.
He alleged that the police harassment of his clients stemmed from a complaint reported by a group of the family members.
The activist said that the family discovered that a group in the family led by an 85-year-old member (name withheld) allegedly forged documents relating to Mr Josiah Amu, their father’s property situated at 14, Palm Ave. Papa-Ajao, Mushin in Lagos.
He said, “Upon the discovery, some members of the family led by Benjamin Amu made a petition to the I-GP on Dec. 8, 2021 for investigation.
“The petition was assigned to one DSP Alhassan Emmanuel for investigation.
“While investigation was ongoing, the family members in question resorted to use some police officers in Lagos to harass and intimidate those that made the petition.”
The lawyer further disclosed that the same family members reported against had gone to Force CID, Alagbon in Ikoyi, Lagos to report false allegation against Benjamin, which was investigated and he was exonerated for the allegation.
He stated that the same case that was reported at FCID Alagbon Lagos, was also reported at Zone 2 Police Command because they were dissatisfied with the FCID report exonerating Benjamin of their allegation.
Giwa-Amu alleged that the troublesome family members were now using the police at Zone 2 as tools for intimidation and harassment.
He urged the IGP to use his good office to cause a detailed and impartial investigation of the matter.
Confirming the incident, the Zone 2 police command spokesperson, SP Hauwa Idris-Adamu, said that an invitation letter was sent to Amu from Zone 2 to assist in a case before them.
She explained that only a letter of invitation was sent out and those invited were expected to come for clarification.
Idris-Adamu added that Zone 2 personnel were not yet involved in the matter, as it was merely a letter of invitation that was sent, which had not been honoured by those invited.
