How Police Killed Four Igbo Men From Ekwulobia And Reactions Of Igbo Community

                  

The alleged extra-judicial killing of four youths, Anthony Ezenwafor, Chukwuemika Ezeofor, Izuchukwu Ezeama and Alloysius Osigwe, said to have been shot dead by policemen attached to Aguda Surulere Police Station, on suspicion that they were armed robbers, is being challenged by their kinsmen in Lagos.

The Ekwulobia Imeobi Youths Association of Ladipo Market, to which the four youths belonged, has filed a suit against the Attorney General of the Federation and Inspector General of Police, IGP, over the killing.

The four were said to be working for one Chief Jude Okoli, a businessman at Ladipo International Market, as apprentice traders.

On July 21, 2001, the deceased were said to be in their apartment at 48, Olaitan Odularu Street Kilo bus stop, Surulere, Lagos when robbers visited the house.

The deceased were said to have removed some window panes and escaped through the window during the robbery.

After the robbers had gone they went back home when policemen arrived shortly after and without enquiry shot dead three of the victims, while the fourth who would had testified against the police was allegedly killed in police custody.

Joined as defendants in the suit by the Ekwulobia Imeobi Youths Association is Attorney General of Lagos State, Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, Chief Marvelous Akpoyibo then of Area ‘C’ Police Command, Surulere and Divisional Police Officer, Aguda Station.

The claimant is seeking an order of the court declaring that the killing of the deceased by the police officers serving under the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, of Aguda Police Station attached to Area C Police Command Surulere Lagos on Sunday July 21, 2001 as unconstitutional, extra judicial, illegal and infringement on the right to life, liberty and dignity.

The claimants in the suit are Akaraka Ezeonara, Chris Okpara, Remigus Ezenwanne and Ifeanyi Okoye.

They are also asking for an order for the payment of N4 billion as damages and compensations to the families of the four victims for the unlawful killing and unjust and illegal termination of their lives.

At the resumed hearing yesterday, before Justice Oyindamola Ogala of a Lagos High Court sitting at Igbosere, the defendants’ counsel, Jonathan Ogunsanya told the court that they were yet to regularise their position and, therefore, sought for adjourn-ment to enable them do so.

The claimant’s counsel, Abiola Akerele, in his response, told the court that they have served the Attorney General of the Federation and Inspector General, adding that since 2001, when they served Aguda police Station, they were yet to get a reply.

He urged the court to give them short time to regularise their position.

Justice Ogala fixed October 23 for the hearing of the suit.