The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Imo State has petitioned the
Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olukayode Egbetokun, over an alleged assault and unlawful detention meted out on its member, Chigozie
Chinaka, by Area Commander of Owerri Municipality, David Ogenyi, and his men.
Addressing the media at the Bar Centre, Owerri, the Imo NBA demanded among other things, the immediate suspension or transfer of Ogenyi to allow unbiased investigation in the matter.
Speaking on behalf of the association, NBA Chairman, Owerri Branch, Ugochukwu Alinnor, said: “The Bar officially received a written
complaint from our colleague, Chigozie Chanaka, on Saturday, September 30, 2023, at the Monthly General Meeting of NBA Owerri Branch, over the assault, humiliation, torture and unlawful detention meted out on him by Ogenyi, the Area Commander, Owerri Municipality, Imo State and men under his command and control on Monday and Tuesday, September 25 and 26, in the course of providing legal services to his client.
“That Ogenyi in an attempt to cover his unlawful acts arraigned our colleague before a Magistrate’s Court 6, Owerri on three-count charge
in Charge No. OW/511c/2023, between COP vs. Chinaka Chigozie on Tuesday,
September 26, 2023.
“On the strength of the above, the NBA Owerri Branch at the monthly
general meeting held on Saturday, September 30, made a resolution, wherein they strongly condemned the acts of Ogenyi and the officers
involved, and called for the immediate suspension of ACP David Ogenyi as Area Commander, Owerri Municipal, to guarantee a thorough and impartial investigation of the grave allegations leveled against him and other
officers within the command.
“NBA Owerri Branch also constituted a three-man Committee to undertake
processes that would ensure that the perpetrators of the unlawful acts are made to face the full wrath of the law.”
Reacting to the allegations, spokesperson for Imo State Police Command, Henry Okoye, said: “It is most unfortunate and preposterous
that Barrister Chinaka Chigozie will mislead legal luminaries into publishing on social media a sensitive issue that borders on the conduct
of a very Senior Police Officer without investigating same to ascertain the true facts in issue.
“Without any ambivalence, the Command wishes to inform the general public that information being conveyed by the Imo NBA is false, malicious, and misleading.
“The Command viewed this as a calculated attempt to tarnish the person of the Area Commander and the confidence already earned in the minds of Imolites and the general public.”
He added: “In view of the above, the Commissioner of Police, (CP)Ahmed
Muhammed Barde has appealed for calm and formed a high-powered investigating team which will include members of the NBA, Imo Branch for discreet investigation into the remote cause of the incident.”
