By Lucky Isibor
The Edo State chapter of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Civil Society Community in Edo State have petitioned the Edo State Commissioner of Police, demanding an independent investigation into the death of a veteran labour leader, former Chairman of the Edo State chapter of NLC and human rights activist, Comrade Kaduna Eboigbe, who allegedly died in the hands of Police personnel on Tuesday, 3 December at a Police checkpoint along the Upper Sokponba road axis of the Benin metropolis.
Led by the Co-chair of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) Coalition and Executive Director of African Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), Rev. David Ugolor and the Edo State chairman of NLC, Comrade Benard Joman Egwekhide, who also signed the petition; the group urged the Police to set up an independent body to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of Eboigbodin as it cannot be a judge in its own cause, and set up monitoring team to monitor the activities of men of the command, alleging that harassment and extortion of motorists and other members of the public have taken a new turn since the beginning of December, because of Christmas.
While describing the death of Comrade Kaduna Eboigbodin as avoidable, the petition noted that the police personnel at the checkpoint exhibited incompetence and unprofessional conduct which led to the unfortunate death of the labour veteran and called on the police to take immediate action that will serve the cause of justice.
“The tragic incident, which occurred by the tree near the Benin City Metro Police Area Command Office, along Sakponba Road, has left the biological family of Comrade Kaduna Eboigbodin, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Civil Society Community traumatized, and is forcing undue pressure on the recent developing cordiality between the Edo State Police Command, Nigeria Labour Congress and the Civil Society Community.
“The NLC and the Civil Society Community are appalled at the reported hostile and indiscretional attitude of some of your men to late Comrade Kaduna Eboigbodin and his wife, who were together in his car, during the unpleasant incident. The Officers showed so much disrespect to the obvious age of the sextagenarian. They equally rebuffed the polite and detailed identification of his status as an NLC Chieftain, a Civil Society leader and an opinion moulder in Edo State. Their total disregard for all these professions, which inherently make us compatriots with the police must have broken his amiable heart, because of the trust he places on such institutional camaraderie”.
While making a five point demand from the police, the group stated further that the action of the police personnel who allegedly accosted Comrade Eboigbodin at the checkpoint on that faithful day was a “Grave violation of his fundamental rights as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and the Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) of Edo State”, adding that, “We want to underscore the sad fact, that this kind of grievous incident, highlights recent cases of police misconduct in the state; including similar troubling ones, not necessary to name here. Such occurrences not only tarnish the reputation of the Nigeria Police Force, but also erode public trust in the force, and creates avoidable tension between the police and citizens”, and called for collaboration between labour, civil society organizations and the police to organise sensitization programmes aimed at improving Police-Labour and Civil Society relations in preventing further incidents of this nature.
“In light of this tragic incident, we urgently call upon you to:
Conduct a thorough and impartial investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of Comrade Kaduna Eboigbodin and the actions of the police officers involved in this incident to ensure accountability, with the findings made public.
“Identification and possible prosecution of the officers involved in this tragic incident in accordance with the law.
“Implementation of measures and training programs to address and prevent unprofessional conduct by Police officers, particularly in their interactions with the public.
“A renewed commitment to ensuring that police officers in Edo State adhere strictly to the rule of law, human rights standards, and professional ethics.
“Ensure that victims of police misconduct and unprofessional acts are supported and that their families are provided with the necessary assistance during their difficult times”.
Responding, the Commissioner of Police, Edo State Command, CP Umoru Ozigi assured members of the NLC and the Civil Society Community that all stones will be unturned to unearth the circumstances surrounding the death of Comrade Kaduna Eboigbodin, assuring that there will be no cover up. The Police Commissioner stated that on hearing of the incident he sent a powerful delegation led by an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) to commiserate with the family, adding that his action is without prejudice to the outcome of the investigation.
“The case is under investigation and the outcome will be made open. On the issue of supervision and monitoring you mentioned, I have my men around, we are checking and if there are excesses, we’ll correct. You people should be patient enough to allow the outcome of our investigation. We are not going to be a judge in our own cause, but our statutory duty is to investigate, we’re not going to cover anybody, we are going to ensure we uncover the mystery behind the death of Kaduna Eboigbodin”, the Police Commissioner assured.