Human rights lawyer Femi Falana SAN has disputed the statement by the Imo State Police Command concerning the attack on Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President Joe Ajaero.
The police had claimed Ajaero was taken into “protective custody” after being attacked by an angry mob while organizing a protest rally in Owerri. However, Falana said the police account was “full of loopholes” and failed to explain why they did not intervene to prevent the attack.
“As soon as Comrade Ajaero showed up at the venue of the rally, he was surrounded by a team of police personnel led by the Commissioner of Police of Imo State,” Falana said in a statement.
He questioned why the police allowed Ajaero to be brutalized without making any effort to protect or arrest his attackers. Falana said pictures showed police officers were present during the assault.
Falana said it was disturbing that police justified the attack based on Ajaero defying a court injunction banning the rally. He argued they should have allowed the court to handle any contempt charges instead of permitting mob violence.
The human rights lawyer called on the Inspector General of Police to investigate the incident and ensure the officers involved are prosecuted. The attack on the NLC president has drawn widespread condemnation from civil society groups.
The human rights lawyer called on the Inspector General of Police to investigate the incident and ensure the officers involved are prosecuted. The attack on the NLC president has drawn widespread condemnation from civil society groups.
Credit: The Nigeria Lawyer