ABIA PANEL: How Police Beat Me till I passed Out, Charged Me For Hate Speech | READ IN FULL

Mr Douglas who is a witness to the petition on Police Brutality, filed by Barrister Paul Igwe, recounted his experience while he was being cross examined by the defense counsel, FC Okafor in the Abia State panel of Inquiry on Police Brutality.

According to the witness, his truck was impounded by the police after one Mr Uduak reported to the police on the ground that the witness was owing him.

" On 23rd December 2019, the truck which was carrying a load had an accident, Uduak was contracted to tow the truck.
" Uduak reported to the police that we are owing him fourteen thousand naira."

According to the witness he and his lawyer, barrister Igwe(the petitioner), got a court injunction mandating the police to release the truck. On arrival at the police station (Eastern Ngwa Divisional Police Station) to execute the injuction, they were assaulted.

" After we got a court injunction, the DCO and IPO invited us to the station to bring along the truck papers and court injunction.
" When we got there, they said the DCO went to court, we were referred to the DPO, Okon Asuquo, who was with some people then.
" When the people left, barrister introduced himself, the DPO started shouting; 'are you the stupid barrister that took me to court? He asked us out and we left.
" We met a woman in her office who inquired what happened. As we were there, the DPO rushed in, he asked the woman to lock us up, she refused, he also asked the other officers there to lock us up, but none of them agreed. The DPO then started pushing us by himself towards the cell.
" The DPO was hitting my barrister, I thought I was videoing but I ended up getting photo clips. He also hit me from the back and I passed out.
" I sustained injuries and had to go the hospital.
" I am a hungry man, my truck has been impounded for close to two years now" the witness lamented.

The defense counsel, inquired from the witness if he is aware that the matter is still in a law court.
The witness responding, said;
" Yes, they charged us to court for 'inciting violence at the police station, hate speech, and the lawyer was charged for 'being a fake lawyer'.
" They have reviewed the charges twice, the last review, my name was deleted remaining barrister's name".

According to the petitioner's counsel, U.O. David, DPO Asuquo was transferred to Umuahia because of the said matter.

The panel adjourned the case till April 20, to enable the Police bring their witness.