Prominent advocate for human rights, Femi Falana, has urged the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, to take immediate action in apprehending and prosecuting the officers accused of subjecting Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Joe Ajaero, to brutality.
Falana expressed his concerns while challenging the police’s denial of Ajaero’s arrest during the labor union’s rally in Owerri, Imo State, on Wednesday.
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Police had earlier clarified that Ajaero was whisked away when troublemakers seized control of the NLC Trade Union rally in Owerri.
However, Falana expressed his skepticism regarding the police’s explanation, pointing out several inconsistencies.
In a statement he signed, Falana questioned why the police didn’t take action to apprehend the troublemakers who assaulted the NLC President right in their presence.
He said, “The police version of the brutalization of the NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajero, is full of loopholes.
“Why did the police allow Comrade Ajero to be brutalized by the so-called miscreants? In other words, why did the police not protect him from the violent attack?
“So the police who witnessed the attack without making any arrest suddenly turned around to take the victim to the police clinic. The members of the public who decried the barbaric attack took pictures, which exposed the misleading version of the police.
“It is disturbing that the police justified the action of the so-called miscreants by saying that Comrade Ajero has disobeyed the order of a court. Why did the police not allow the court to purge Comrade Ajero of contempt of court?
“We call on the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to investigate and ensure that the police officers who brutalized the NLC President are prosecuted without any delay.”