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Police Brutality: Former Commissioner in Rivers State demands N30m compensation

The two-time commissioner in the state who is currently a Regent of Peace compound in Buguma town, Asari Toru Local Government Area of the State made this demand when he appeared to give evidence at the ongoing sitting  of  the state commission of inquiry investigating the alleged acts of violence, torture of fundamental rights of citizens committed by officers, men and operatives of the Nigerian police in the state holding in port harcourt.

 

Chief Samuel-Horsefall said the payment sum so demanded would compensate  Assault  and beatings he received from the FSARS and Mobile  police force as well as his properties and jewelries looted by the police during the incident.

 

 

The Petitioner further alleged that on the 9th of march, 2019 in ward 7, unit 11  Buguma, in Poweriso compound where the polling unit was situated, officials of the FSARS accompanied by some APC stakeholders in the area stormed his house, destroyed it and carted away his personal belongings worth about N30m on the election day.

 

HorseFall further alleged that the police officers informed him  the  action was carried out because he was reported to be harbouring election thugs in his house, adding that he watched the police destroying his properties and his wife Jewelries.

 

The regent who took his time to narrate his alleged ordeal in the hands of  the FSARS and police officers attached to monitor the said election in his polling unit told the panel that the police officers also manhandled PDP supporters  who came to cast their votes on that day as well as aided the APC members to snatch the ballots papers.

 

Our correspondent Uchendu Ejiowhor reports that a similar assault case brought by Claudius Princewill from Buguma town in the same local Government Area was later adjourned to 14th December, 2020 for cross examination by the police legal team, while the petition by Ezekiel Tariuwo was struck out by the commission because the matter is still pending before a federal high court in the state.

 

Chairman of the Panel, justice Chukwunoye Uriri while striking the petition said the panel was bound to entertain any matter that borders on prejudice.

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