Boston – By Alltimepost.com
A coalition of Nigerian civil society organizations and human rights in Edo State has strongly condemned the alleged callous and brutal attack on Mr. Erasmus Ikhide, Media Adviser to Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola by operatives of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps.
Comrade Ikhide, a Journalist/publisher of Freepress.com.ng and columnist to Alltimepost.com, a United States-based online newspaper was allegedly attacked while performing his civic responsibilities during last Saturday election in his hometown of Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State.
In a press statement issued at the Liberty House in Benin City on Saturday, members of the coalition, led by comrade Austin Osakue gave Edo State Police command seven days ultimatum to arrest the culprits and bring them to book.
“While vehemently condemning this unwarranted assault on our colleague, we are particularly perturbed by the fact that: our senior colleague was attacked on the prompting of a political thug as comrade Ikhide went about the peaceful exercise of his constitutional right to vote,” the coalition said.
They regretted that “the Nigeria Police force has up till now failed to effect the arrest of these vandals in uniform.”
“We have therefore resolved to issue the authorities of the Nigeria Police Force a seven-day ultimatum to arrest the assaulters and commence their prosecution after due investigation.
“We have also briefed our lawyers to commence civil proceedings against the attackers and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, NSCDC which we hold vicariously liable for the barbaric actions of its operatives.
“We finally wish to reiterate that Nigeria is operating a civil democracy and any acts that tend to depict the country as brutish and authoritarian will be resisted.”
As at press time, the Edo State Police Command and Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps could not be reached for comments.
Meanwhile, Mr. Ikhide’s Lawyer/Solicitor, A.O. Guobadia of the Iyobhebhe Chambers, Barristers, Solicitors, Property Consultants and Notaries Public has petitioned Edo State Police Commissioner over the incident.
Below is the petition:
IYOBHEBHE CHAMBERS BARRISTER, SOLICITOR, PROPERTY CONSULTANTS & NOTARIES PUBLIC. 28, Ogbelaka Street, Off Sakponba Road, P.O BOX 4340, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. Tell: 0803-709-4401, 0805-470-9476, 0809-980-5036.
Email: iyobhebhechambers@yahoo.com.
www.iyobhebhechambers.ng.com.
IC/36/2015
April 13, 2015.
THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE
EDO STATE COMMAND,
POLICE HEADQUARTERS,
BENIN CITY.
Dear Sir,
SERIOUS ASSAULT AND BRUTALITY OF EREASMUS IKHIDE BY AN OFFICER OF THE NIGERIAN CIVIL DEFENCE CORPS ON THE 11/4/2015.
We act as solicitors to MR ERASMUS IKHIDE of No 77 2nd East Circular Road, Benin City hereinafter called “Our Client” on whose instructions we hereby forward this petition on the above-mentioned lawless and senseless attack on Our Client by one Civil defense Corps officer called OMUETI IREGBEYEN CHICKSON with a view to doing substantial Justice to same.
We are informed by our client and from available facts at our disposal, we verily him as follows:-
That on the 11th day of April 2015, being the Election Day for Edo State House of Assembly, our client who is a patriotic Nigerian citizen eligible to vote, travelled to his hometown, ERUERE in Owan West Local Government Area, Edo State where he registered for the said Election.
That as Our Client with other voters were at Unit 2, Eruere in Owan West Local Government Area, Edo State, between the hours of 3:30pm and 5:00pm, the above-named Civil defense Corps officer came in company of 4 other officers. He started asking the polling station officer and the agents if there was any problem? They answered in the negative.
That as our client turned his back to look, without any provocation whatsoever, the said MR OMUETI IREGBEYEN CHICKSON descended on him. He started flogging him with the Horsewhip in his hand, cleared and fell him on the ground. He again followed this up with gun booth beating until one of the senior officers came to his rescue who immediately reprimanded the assailant.
That an eye witness later informed our client that one Mr. Wilson Ilevbaogun, a PDP’s agent in another polling unit close by pointed at our client to the above Civil Defense Corps officer to brutalize him.
The incidence created scene at the polling station which made voters to run for their dear lives as the said officer cocked his gun with a visible threat to shoot. It was at this stage our client was assisted by some good Samaritans, who rushed him to a nearby medicine store for first aid treatment.
Our Client had to take photographs of this brutal attack on him as serious injuries were inflicted on his body. Attached are some of the photographs.
In the light of the above, we are urging you to use your good office to cause a discreet investigation on the said matter so that the culprit can be brought to book to forestall future occurrence.
Thanks in anticipation,
Yours faithfully
FOR: – IYOBHEBHE CHAMBERS
________________________
O. A. IGUODALA (ACIarb)
(SOLICITOR)
