Bwari killings: Group decries unlawful detention of suspect

A group in Ushafa Chief’s Palace, has decried the continued detention of a suspect arrested over the killing of a police officer, ASP Eric Isaiah and one Moses Emmanuel in Bwari Area Council, the Federal Capital Territory. The FCT Police Command had earlier explained circumstances leading to the killing of one of its officers by […]

A group in Ushafa Chief’s Palace, has decried the continued detention of a suspect arrested over the killing of a police officer, ASP Eric Isaiah and one Moses Emmanuel in Bwari Area Council, the Federal Capital Territory.

The FCT Police Command had earlier explained circumstances leading to the killing of one of its officers by an angry mob at the palace of a traditional leader in one of the villages in the suburb of the capital city.

The mob were said to have attacked and killed ASP Isaiah at the palace of Chief of Ushafa on January, 23 while policemen were there to effect the arrest of one Moses Peter, a suspect wanted for the murder of Emmanuel. The chief’s secretary, Danlami Busa, was subsequently arrested in connection to the killing at the Chief’s palace

However, in a press statement issued yesterday, spokesman of the group, Comrade Solomon Danjuma, observed that since his arrest on January 23, the suspect has remained in police detention without trial, noting that it violates his fundamental human rights.

The statement urged that if the police have compelling evidence against the suspect, they should charge him to court rather than subject him to unlawful detention.

“We demand that the police grant Bussa bail, since he has fulfilled the bail conditions or charge him to court. Holding on to him without any valid court order and subjecting him to psychological and emotional trauma stands against the rule of law” the statement read in parts.

The group said should the police ignore their call, to charge or grant the suspect bail, they would be compelled to take the matter to court.