BY MIKE OSAROGIAGBON
Benin City, Nigeria – Determined to address issues of police extortion and human rights abuses, the Edo State Police Command has appointed its lawyer as Desk Officer of the Command’s Human Rights and Extortion Investigation Unit in Benin City.
The appointed police lawyer is Barr Polycarp Odion domiciled at the State Command headquarters, GRA, Benin-City.
The Deputy Public Relations Officer for Edo State Police Command ASP Jennifer Iwegbu stated this in a statement made available to journalists in Benin City at the weekend.
“The Edo State Police Command wishes to inform the general public that the command in a bid to nip in the bud, issues of Police Extortion and Human Rights abuses in the State Police Command, the Command Management has ebbed the fight with the appointment of a Police lawyer as a Human Right and Extortion Investigation Desk officer in the CP’s office at the State Headquarters, Benin City.
“The Committee is headed by Barr Polycarp Odion, LLB, (A.A.U), BL, he is domiciled at the State Command headquarters, The Nigeria Police Force, GRA Benin-city. Anyone with complaints of excesses of Police action/corrupt practices within Edo State should reach the Desk Officer on this phone number 08051554700. Human Rights groups/Civil Society Organisations and Nigeria Bar association, Benin-city should reach the Desk Officer on 08070700176”, she stated.
ASP Iwegbu added that the police command also appointed five facilitators made up of three human rights lawyers drawn from the Nigerian Bar Association, Benin branch and two Civil Liberty Organization, Benin-City including the Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Edo State Council, Mr. Festus Alenkhe.
“The facilitators are to assist in collation, processing complaints and collaboration in the enquiries, and also assisting the CP in dealing with such matters. They are;
1. Paula Agbale -Chairman
2. Festus Alenkhe, EDO NUJ Chairman- 07038221884
3. Lizzy iyamu Ojo- Secretary Human Rights Committee -+2348055232158
4. Amaechi Nwaozor- PDSS
5. Emmanuel Okorie— 08032301666-PDSS
6. Osayuki Agbonghae-+2347036424400
7. Abraham Oviawe—+2348038974994 of Civil Liberty Organization”, She noted.
The deputy spokesperson of the command however said that the Commissioner of Police, Edo State Command, CP Abutu Yaro has sued for collaboration and partnership to address corrupt practices and Human Rights infringement matters.
“The CP assures members of the public that this policies and strategies emplaced is to ensure that the Police remain effective and efficient in its fight against violent crimes and maintain cordial relationship with the public devoid of corruption and Human Rights abuses in the state”, ASP Iwegbu stated.
