December 17, 2014 – Inspector General of Police, Mr. Suleiman Abba has ordered investigation and trial of officers involved in the brutalization of a photographer and his wife at Ikoyi, Lagos.
We gathered that the photographer, Ejeh Smith, with his wife were returning from a function when they were flagged down in their taxi.
The taxi driver conveying the couple told journalists that the the officer, Ndubuisi Iheaka, a police corporal checked the boot of the car before demanding his driving licence adding that while he was about getting the driving licence, Ogunsanya decided to beam his torchlight on his passengers.
The couple was said to have protested the action, telling him that the inner lights of the vehicle, which were on, was enough for him to see their faces. The policeman reportedly asked them to alight after which an argument ensued, which degenerated into a scuffle.
In the process, Ogunsanya allegedly punched Ejeh in the face and also allegedly hit him in the face with the butt of his rifle. He thereafter slapped Grace and stepped on her stomach.
But in a statement, the police said the IGP has ordered a full scale investigation into the matter in line with his avowed commitment to protect and uphold the human rights of all Nigerians and residents therein.
“The Officer involved has been identified and is already undergoing administrative trial. All other officers whose conduct did not speak well on the incident are also being sanctioned, preparatory to further necessary action”, the police said, adding that the IGP further reiterated the determination of the force to abide by the contents of the newly launched Nigeria Police Force Human Rights Practice Manual.
