The detained female human rights advocate, Abiodun Thomas, reportedly collapsed at the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) in Abuja as a result of health issues.
Naijaonpoint learnt that Thomas, who has a history of asthma and peptic ulcer, had been experiencing bleeding since Monday.
Despite this, the Investigating Police Officer (IPO) overseeing her case, who holds the position of Assistant Director at the FCID, allegedly disregarded her health complaints.
Her legal counsel, Barr. Ernest Chukwuemeka Okpaga, was said to have voiced his concerns regarding the matter.
However, the Nigerian Police reportedly failed to provide her with necessary medical care, even after being notified of her collapse.
Okpaga alleged that both he and Thomas’ family were denied access to visit her.
The attorney also claimed that the Assistant Director of Administration at the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) National Cybercrime Centre (NCCC) instructed officers to detain him along with Abiodun Thomas in the interrogation room.
Confirming the development, Human Rights Lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, in a post via his X handle, said: “My colleague, Ernest Okpaga, Esq., a member of the legal team representing Abiodun Thomas, was dragged, beaten mercilessly and disgraced thoroughly by policemen at the Nigeria Police Force National Cyber Crime Centre (NPF-NCCC) in Abuja.
“Since the arrest of Abiodun Thomas, the police failed to disclose the reasons for her arrest and detention to her and also failed to take her statement.
“Today, the police suddenly called the legal team that they were ready to record her statement. Ernest was delegated to go to the NPF-NCCC.
“I have known Ernest for a few years, he is a gentleman. Attached is the photograph of Ernest.”
Lawyer Locked up
Below is the account of what reportedly transpired, as narrated by Ernest:
“Earlier today, the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), in whose facility, Abiodun Thomas is detained, denied her lawyers access to their client, insisting that the IPO must be present. Meanwhile, her IPO is at the National Cybercrime Centre, while Thomas Abiodun is detained at the FCID.
“After several calls and hours of waiting, the Police brought her from the FCID to the Cybercrime centre.
“Ernest Okpaga, Esq., a counsel in the law firm of S. M. Oyeghe & Co., accompanied her to make her statement today, 19th December 2024 at the NPF NCCC, after 7 days of her arrest and detention without being informed of her offence nor her statement recorded in flagrant violation of the law.
“Thomas Abiodun had been complaining of her deteriorating health condition and has been bleeding, but the Police in their usual way refused to attend to her medically.
“This is more so as she is an asthmatic and an ulcer patient,” Effiong quoted Ernest saying.
He added: “After Thomas Abiodun finished making her statement today, while the lawyer was getting to the exit gate of the police building, some officers shouted his name that he should come back.
“When he returned and enquired what the issue was, he was told that Thomas Abiodun collapsed shortly after making her statement.
“The counsel informed the police officers that they should take her to the hospital for emergency medical attention and that previously, while she was in custody she has complained that she is sick but no medical care was given to her.
“The Assistant Director Admin at NPF NCCC immediately ordered police officers to lock him up together with Thomas Abiodun at the interrogation room until Thomas Abiodun regained consciousness before he is allowed to go.
“The lawyer attempted to stop them from dragging him to be locked up as ordered by the Assistant Director Admin in NCCC, and he was assaulted and beaten mercilessly by the police officers.
“After he persisted in his resistance to being locked up at their facility, the Assistant Director Admin ordered that they should hurriedly take Thomas Abiodun along with the lawyer to the Police hospital. Thomas Abiodun was taken to the medical facility at Area 11 Garki Abuja until she regained consciousness.
“Thomas Abiodun is currently on admission and receiving medical treatment at the said hospital.”