The Onyemuruogu family in Enugu State is seeking for help from the Police Service Commission and Nigerian human rights community to locate their son, Chidera Onyemuruogu, who was arrested by the Anti-Cult use of the Nigerian Police, Enugu, since March 2018.
SaharaReporters learnt that Chidera was taken from their home in Enugu and severely beaten by operatives led by one Mr. Ekeleme
Despite being held for months without bail or trial, Chidera’s family filed a Fundamental Rights Enforcement Suit at the Enugu State High Court to secure his release, Pa Onyemuruogu told SaharaReporters on Tuesday.
Narrating the incident, he said: “On the 22nd March 2018, operatives of Anti Cult Base, Nigeria Police, Enugu, invaded my residence at House 1, Nwandu Estate, New Haven, Enugu.
“My son Chidera was severely beaten and brutalised by the operatives led by Mr. Ekeleme, the Officer in Charge of Anti Cult Police Base, Enugu. Thereafter, they whisked him away in their vehicle.”
The septuagenarian stated that while his son was kept in custody for months without being granted bail, or presented to court for any offence, his family secured the services of a lawyer who filed a Fundamental Rights Enforcement Suit at the Enugu State High Court seeking the release of Chidera.
“On January 14, 2019, the court presided over by Justice Cyprian Ajah delivered judgement in the suit and ordered the police to release my son. Regrettably till date we haven’t heard or seen my son,” he lamented.
The court Judgement made available to SaharaReporters was marked Suit No. E/523/2018, between Chidera Onyemuruogu as Plaintiff/Applicant and Mr. Ekeleme (SP); The Officer In Charge Of Anti Cult Squad, Enugu; The Commissioner Of Police Enugu State; The Inspector General Of Police and Police Service Commission as 1st to 5th Respondents.
In the judgement delivered by Hon. Justice C.O. Ajah, on January 14, 2019, the court ordered among other things that: “a) Chidera has the right to life and granted an Order restraining the defendants by themselves their servants agents and privies from terminating the life of the Applicant or threatening same in any manner.
“b). An Order of Court was granted compelling the defendants to release the applicant forthwith.
“c). The Court further ordered the defendants to pay the sum of N1 million (One Million Naira) to the applicant for the violation of his fundamental rights.”
However, Septogenarian decried that since the court gave the judgement, the police had refused to obey the order, adding that the whereabouts of his son had remained known.
He said despite his lawyer filed Committal Proceedings to commit the 1st and 2nd defendants to Prison for disobeying Court Order, nothing has happened as Mr Ekeleme had several times boasted that he had killed the suspect and nothing would happen as the family had no money to pursue the case to its conclusion.
Meanwhile, the Civil Rights Realisation and Advancement Network (CRRAN), has petitioned the Chairman Police Service Commission demanding justice in respect of the grave rights violation.
The petition which was signed by Olu Omotayo Esq., President of CRRAN and dated October 21, was titled: “Appeal For Urgent Intervention: 76 Year Nigeria Citizen Decries Police Refusal To Release His Son Despite Court Order And Appeal For The Release Of The Son Arrested And Detained By the Nigerian police anti cult Squad Enugu, Since 2018”.
“Pa Onyemuruogu appeals to the Government and Nigerian people to come to his aid and assist him to get justice.
“The aged citizen demands that he wants to know the whereabout of his son and if he has been extrajudicially killed, the perpetrators should be made to face the full wrath of the law.
“We join this aged Nigerian citizen to demand justice in respect of this grave rights violation. We submit that the Hallmark of Democracy is the respect for the fundamental rights of the citizens as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“We urge you to in the interest of Justice, urgently address this grave rights violation and ensure justice as the circumstances of this case demands.”
The petition was copied to the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun