By Godwin Edeh & Martin Iyonguvihi
A 28-year-old pastor, David Pev has demanded for the payment of N4.1m compensation by the Police for injuries he sustained at the hands of the Nigeria Police.
He made this prayer Thursday, during the day 3 sitting of the 8 man Benue Panel of Enquiry on Alleged Police Extra-judicial Killings and Human Rights Abuses, at a Makurdi High Court.
Pst. David Pev who submitted his complaints through his counsel, Emmanuel Kassar, stated that sometimes on the 28 July, 2019, at about 7:30 pm, while closing from his okada business with his brand new red Honda motorcycle, with registration number MKD 46 QM, he was suddenly accosted by policemen from ‘B’ Division, at High Level roundabout and in an attempt to stop him, hit him with a stick.
The victim told the panel that he fell down on the tarred road and as a result, hit his head and sustained severe injuries on his skull, hand, chest, stomach and had a broken tooth and became unconscious with his motorcycle damaged.
Under cross examination by the counsel to the Nigeria Police, Benue State Command, ASP F N Agwu (Esq), the victim tendered before the panel pictures, photocopy of legal fee receipt and a letter from Immaculate Hospital with card number 43771 where he was earlier admitted as evidence.
Pst. Pev urged the panel to look into his case as he has lost his source of income and livelihood.
However, the evidence was objected by FN Agwu who said the pictures were photo-shopped and in law of evidence, photocopies of documents cannot be tendered before the honourable panel hence, urged the panel to reject the documents.
During the sitting, the Chairman of the Panel, Rtd Justice Adam Onum struck out the case of Yaayaa vs Joseph Myuean for the absence of both the complainants and counsel while that of Rev. Cannon Haanongon Gideon over arbitrary invasion of two communities of Tse Bonyon and Tse Iam in Uyam District of Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State was submitted before the panel.
Rev. Gideon stated that he lost millions of naira, as his yam stores were completely burnt down and his house destroyed by operatives alleged to be Police Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
Another complaint before the panel was that of Benue Motorcycle Association (BEMOA) and Ikyurav-ya Development Association (IDA) vs Commissioner of Police, over the death of an okada rider (name withheld) in Adikpo, alleged to have been caused by the disbanded SARS.
During the sitting, 4 complaints were presented, one struck out while 2 were adjourned to Tuesday, 24 November, 2020 for further hearing.
