Senate Indicts Nigeria Police Force Over Extrajudicial Killing of University Student

Strategic Insights -

The Senate of Nigeria on Tuesday launched a scathing attack on the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) over the extrajudicial killing of Chinedu Obi, a final-year student of the University of Port Harcourt. The student was arrested on July 19, 2019, after a disagreement with a phone seller, who accused him of assaulting her. However, he died in custody despite his family's efforts to reach him. The Senate heard that the police denied Obi access to his family and medicare, and an investigation revealed that the officer who shot him was not the one he was allegedly pursuing. The Senate found the NPF culpable in Obi's death and condemned their unprofessional handling of the matter. The Senate has mandated the police to fish out the officer who shot Obi for prosecution and to pay N10 million as compensation to his family.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Senate has indicted the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) for the extrajudicial killing of Chinedu Obi, a final-year student of the University of Port Harcourt.
  • Obi was arrested on July 19, 2019, after a disagreement with a phone seller and died in custody despite his family's efforts to reach him.
  • The police denied Obi access to his family and medicare, and an investigation revealed that the officer who shot him was not the one he was allegedly pursuing.
  • The Senate found the NPF culpable in Obi's death and condemned their unprofessional handling of the matter.
  • The Senate has mandated the police to fish out the officer who shot Obi for prosecution.
  • The police are also directed to liaise with Obi's family and assist them in footing the bills of his burial.
  • The Senate has mandated the NPF to pay N10 million as compensation to the family of the deceased.

Statistics:

  • July 19, 2019: The date of Obi's arrest.
  • N10 million: The amount of compensation mandated by the Senate for Obi's family.

Sources:

  • Petition to the Senate by the lawyer to the family, Omemiroro Ogedegbe.
  • Presentation by the deputy commissioner of police, Ogbadu Aliyu.
  • Report presented to the plenary by the Chairman of the Senate committee, Ayo Akinyelure (Ondo Central).