Daniel Efe/Port Harcourt
Sequel to the petition of The International Federation of Women Lawyers, FIDA, in Rivers State against the Police Officers; Sergeant Alali I. Ogonna and Corporal Anthony Livingstone attached to Abua Odual Divisional Police Station of accused of raping an 11 years old girl, the two Policemen have been finally arrested.
The two Policemen were arrested about a week ago after the Rivers State Chapter of International Federation of Women Lawyers, FIDA, led by Mrs Anthonia Osademe, raised alarm against the Police Officers accusing the Abua Odual Divisional Police Station of frustrating all attempts to bring them to Justice.
The Spokesman of the Rivers Police Command, Nnamdi Omoni, confirmed today on phone that the two Policemen were already in the custody and undergoing orderly room trials and when found guilty they will be dismissed and prosecuted in law court.
According to Omoni: “The Rivers Police Spokesman DSP Omoni, “FIDA was not correct when they said that we were not doing anything about the two Policemen. We don’t cover up for our erring officers and men. As we speak, the two accused Policemen are in detention undergoing orderly room trials as prescribed by the Police Act.
“After undergoing through the due process of law, if found guilty, then they will be able dismissed and brought to face the law. We must be allowed to follow the due process of law. We don’t cover up for our officers and men.” DSP Omoni assured.
The Chairperson of FIDA, Mrs. Anthonia Osademe, had said the female lawyers will be sending a petition to the Commissioner of Police, CP Zaki Ahmed, over the delay by the officer handling the matter to transfer the case to the Police headquarters in Port-Harcourt for proper investigation.
Mrs. Osademe had also appealed to the Commissioner of Police to order that Investigating Police Officer, IPO, handling the case expedite action by transferring the case to Port Harcourt for proper investigation.
Osademe expressed the frustration while speaking with a section of the Press in Port-Harcourt.
“Last two weeks we learned about how two Police Officers defiled this 11 years old Child. The Police Officers are;, Sergeant Alali I. Ogonna and Corporal Anthony Livingstone. They are there in Abua Odual walking freely after FIDA went into the matter and asked Police to charge the matter to Court. The Police is not ready to charge the matter to court.”
FIDA has been at the forefront on the campaign against the incessant child abuse in the state.
The FIDA Chairperson, Osademe in his Facebook post recently had appealed to members that the incessant cases in the state is appalling.
“We really need to rise and fight this course. Just after arraigning a suspect for scalding and pouring hot water on a child, another case is been reported where a woman used hot knife to burn her 10 years old maid on her buttock, mixed pepper into her Vagina.
“Another case was reported where a woman poured hot beans on her maid. Matter has been reported at Agip police station. Both will be charged to Court.
I therefore appeal to us, to join to fight this war against Child Abuse.” FIDA chairperson said.