Group petitions judicial panel over Mushin DPO for killing

Etim Effiong

A Non-Governmental Organisation, United Action for Change has submitted three petitions against Mushin District Police Officer, Ayodele Arogbo to the Lagos Judicial Panel of Inquiry and Restitution for the murder of three Nigerians who were returning from work during the #End SARS protests.

The victims, Ibrahim Ganiu, 20; Sodiq Jamiu, 25, and Sunday Richard Dickson, 35, were allegedly killed on October 20, 2020 by the said police officer while coming from their respective places of work.

The petitions stated that the deceased met their death at Idi-Oro area of Mushin, where protesters were said to be on a peaceful march along Agege Motor Road and they encountered a police team stationed around Post Office junction, metres away from the Olosan Police Station.

The three petitions written on 10 December, titled: “Petition regarding the extrajudicial killings perpetrated against Ibrahim Ganiu; Sodiq Jamiu,” and Sunday Richard Dickson and addressed to the Chairman, Judicial Panel of Inquiry and Restitution for Victim of SARS-related abuses, are as follows:

Dear Sir,

Petition regarding the extrajudicial killings perpetrated against Ibrahim Ganiu

We write to formally lodge a complaint about an act of murder committed against one Mr Ibrahim Ganiu, 20 years old, fashion Designer of No 267, Agege Motor Road, Mushin (hereinafter referred to as the deceased).

On the 20th day of October 2020, protesters who were on a peaceful march along Agege Motor Road, encountered a police team stationed around Post Office junction, meters away from the Olosan Police Station. As a result of the curfew on that day, the deceased who was coming from Idi-Oro area of Mushin was murdered by the DPO of Olosan Police station, Mushin in person of Mr Ayodele Arogbo also known as Gbakoje.

By virtue of Section 33 of the 1999 Constitution as amended, everyone has a right to life, and no one must be deprived of his life intentionally. However, there are several persons who have lost their lives through unlawful acts contrary to the provision of the law. The police have a duty to protect lives and they are not allowed to use firearms except from certain circumstances which does not include the killing of innocent citizens who do not commit any offence nor are they a threat to others.

The act of Mr Ayodele Arogbo is in contravention to the right to life as he has a duty as a Senior police officer to protect the life of citizens. It is worthy to state that the enforcement of laws and the maintenance of peace and order are first and foremost about protecting the rights of citizens, and thus the role of the police in protecting and respecting the rights of every individual is fundamental. We believe through confirmed reports that this act of injustice perpetrated by Mr Ayodele Arogbo is not his first. Therefore, it is important that this be investigated.

We therefore pray this committee to investigate the actions of Mr Ayodele Arogbo, the DPO of Olosan Police station, Mushin in this regard.

We are of the strong view that this is a deprivation of the right to life which our Constitution frowns at and failure to investigate this crime would strengthen other police officer’s will power to continue to disregard the right of citizen.

Yours faithfully,

Michael Popoola Ajayi

Secretary.

Dear Sir,

Petition regarding the extrajudicial killings perpetrated against Sodiq Jamiu

We write to formally lodge a complaint about an act of murder committed against one Mr Sodiq Jamiu, 25 years old, factory worker of No 1, Alli Street, Off Olorunsogo Street, Mushin, Lagos (hereinafter referred to as the deceased).

On the 20th day of October 2020, protesters who were on a peaceful march along Agege Motor Road, encountered a police team stationed around Post Office junction, meters away from the Olosan Police Station. The deceased on his way back from his from his place of business on that day was murdered by the DPO of Olosan Police station, Mushin in person of Mr Ayodele Arogbo also known as Gbakoje.

By virtue of Section 33 of the 1999 Constitution as amended, everyone has a right to life, and no one must be deprived of his life intentionally. However, there are a number of persons who have lost their lives through unlawful acts contrary to the provision of the law. The police have a duty to protect lives and they are not allowed to use firearms except from certain circumstances which does not include the killing of innocent citizens who do not commit any offence nor are they a threat to others.

The act of Mr Ayodele Arogbo is in contravention to the right to life as he has a duty as a senior police officer to protect the life of citizens. It is worthy to state that the enforcement of laws and the maintenance of peace and order are first and foremost about protecting the rights of citizens, and thus the role of the police in protecting and respecting the rights of every individual is fundamental. We believe through confirmed reports that this act of injustice perpetrated by Mr Ayodele Arogbo is not his first. Therefore, it is important that this be investigated.

We therefore pray this committee to investigate the actions of Mr Ayodele Arogbo, the DPO of Olosan Police station, Mushin in this regard.

We are of the strong view that this is a deprivation of the right to life which our Constitution frowns at and failure to investigate this crime would strengthen other police officer’s will power to continue to disregard the right of citizen.

Yours faithfully,

Michael Popoola Ajayi

Secretary.

Dear Sir,

Petition regarding the extrajudicial killings perpetrated against Sunday Richard Dickson

We write to formally lodge a complaint about an act of murder committed against one Mr Sunday Richard Dickson, 35 years old, Tricycle Rider of 28, Ladipo Street, Mushin (hereinafter referred to as the deceased).

On the 20th day of October 2020, protesters who were on a peaceful march along Agege Motor Road, encountered a police team stationed around Post Office junction, meters away from the Olosan Police Station. The deceased was murdered by Mr Ayodele Arogbo also known as Gbakoje, the DPO of Olosan Police station, Mushin while trying to assist his passenger who was hit by a bullet during the SARS protest. Due to this, the deceased wife and two children source of livelihood have been taken away from them forever.

By virtue of Section 33 of the 1999 Constitution as amended, everyone has a right to life, and no one must be deprived of his life intentionally. However, there are a number of persons who have lost their lives through unlawful acts contrary to the provision of the law. The police have a duty to protect lives and they are not allowed to use firearms except from certain circumstances which does not include the killing of innocent citizens who do not commit any offence nor are they a threat to others.

The act of Mr Ayodele Arogbo is in contravention to the right to life as he has a duty as a senior police officer to protect the life of citizens. It is worthy to state that the enforcement of laws and the maintenance of peace and order are first and foremost about protecting the rights of citizens, and thus the role of the police in protecting and respecting the rights of every individual is fundamental. We believe through confirmed reports that this act of injustice perpetrated by Mr Ayodele Arogbo is not his first. Therefore, it is important that this be investigated.

We therefore pray this committee to investigate the actions of Mr Ayodele Arogbo, the DPO of Olosan Police station, Mushin in this regard.

We are of the strong view that this is a deprivation of the right to life which our Constitution frowns at and failure to investigate this crime would strengthen other police officer’s will power to continue to disregard the right of citizen.

Yours faithfully,

Michael Popoola Ajayi Secretary