Senate Indicts Nigerian Police Force Over Extra-Judicial Killing of University Student

Strategic Insights -

The Senate of Nigeria has condemned the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) for its handling of the death of Chinedu Obi, a final-year student of the University of Port Harcourt, who was killed in custody. According to a petition by Omemiroro Ogedegbe, the lawyer to Obi's family, the deceased was arrested on July 19, 2019, and denied access to his family and medicare. The petitioner revealed that Obi died in a controversial circumstance in police custody, contrary to the police's claim that he was granted bail.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Senate has indicted the Nigeria Police Force for extra-judicial killing of Chinedu Obi, a final-year student of the University of Port Harcourt.
  • Obi was arrested on July 19, 2019, and died in police custody under controversial circumstances.
  • The police claimed that Obi was granted bail, but the lawyer to his family, Omemiroro Ogedegbe, contradicted this claim, stating that the deceased was denied access to his family and medicare.
  • The Senate chairman, Senator Ayo Akinyelure, observed that the offence of assault alleged by the phone seller was not a capital offence and should not have led to Obi being handcuffed.
  • The Senate has directed the police to fish out the police officer who shot Obi to death for prosecution.
  • The Upper Chamber has mandated the NPF to pay N10 million as compensation to the family of the late Obi to mitigate the pains of his demise.
  • The Senate has urged the police to handle civil matters professionally and to respect the rights of citizens.

Statistics:

  • July 19, 2019: The date on which Chinedu Obi was arrested by the police.
  • N10 million: The amount of compensation ordered by the Senate to be paid to the family of the late Obi.

Sources:

  • "Senate Indicts Nigerian Police Force Over Extra-Judicial Killing of University Student," Premium Times, July 20, 2022 (https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/top-news/432332-senate-indicts-nigerian-police-force-over-extra-judicial-killing-of-university-student.html)
  • "Police Shot University Student from Behind, Says Lawyer", Nigerian Tribune, July 21, 2019 (https://www.tribunes.com.ng/police-shot-university-student-from-behind-says-lawyer/)