The Nigeria Bar Association has demanded protection for the mother of a 22-year-old boy allegedly killed by one of the security aides attached to Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River.
This is contained in a petition to the state’s Commissioner of Police, Rashid Afegbua, in Calabar on Sunday.
Chairman, Cross River State NBA branch, Enome Amatey, said in the petition that the deceased mother, Victoria Mba, and her family had faced intimidation and harassment in their quest for justice over the death.
The lawyers also demanded a transparent investigation into the alleged killing, adding that the attempt to label the deceased as mentally ill without verifiable medical evidence must cease immediately.
Mr Amatey noted attempt to undermine the integrity of the investigation and the dignity of the human person of the deceased.
According to the petition, the alleged extrajudicial killing of Moses Mba by police officers erodes public trust in the Nigeria Police Force and raises critical issues of accountability, transparency and justice.
It stated, “Furthermore, the reported attempt to stigmatise the deceased as mentally ill without credible evidence appears to be an affront to his dignity and an apparent effort to subvert the truth and exculpate the officers responsible from responsibility.
“So, we demand an immediate, comprehensive, thorough and transparent investigation into the death of the boy. This investigation must be conducted with the highest standards of professionalism and independence to ascertain the facts and ensure that those responsible are held accountable.
“The investigation, as well as the findings of the investigation should be made public and in a timely manner to ensure transparency, accountability and restore public confidence in the Nigerian justice system and the Nigerian Police Force.”
The bar noted that it took an interest in the tragic incident particularly as it pertains to the fundamental rights to life, dignity and fair treatment under the law, as enshrined in the constitution.
“The bar remains committed to its core mandate of upholding the rule of law, protecting human rights and ensuring justice, is deeply troubled by the reported circumstances surrounding this incident.
“More worrisome is the fact that the Nigeria Police Force, which is saddled with the responsibility of protecting lives and property of Nigerians is now found at the ugly end of the incident,” it said.
Reecall that the 22-year-old boy was allegedly beaten and shot by a security aide attached to the resident of the Governor of Cross River, Bassey Otu, on August 1.
The boy was alledged to have visited the governor’s resident and requested to see him as he has a message from God to be delivered to him.
The deceased mother explained that the boy died on August 9 at the Naval Reference Hospital in Calabar, following injuries sustained from the beaten and gunshot.
She stated, “We (my husband and I) were actually away in Abia State when the incident occurred and we got a call same day upon arrival from official of the Red Cross Society that rushed him to the hospital.
“Upon our arrival at the hospital, we sort to enquire from our son the event that led to the beaten and subsequent shooting. According to him, he only requested to see the governor and that he had a message for him from God. I am not making any excuses for him, my son has always been in love with God’s work right from age 10, and he has been seeing things (revelations). We only pleaded with him to be done with his education before facing God’s work fully.”
(NAN)