Policeman killed my son after demanding N100 from him

Akpan Umoh, Uyo

A widow, from Nkek, Ukanafun in Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom, Mrs Mfon Udoidiong has said that a policeman, Mr Idongesit Ekanem killed her son after demanding N100 from him on September 9, 2017.

She made the revelation at the resumption of Christmas break of the Panel of Investigation on Incidences of Police Brutality at High Court Complex in Uyo on Thursday.

Udoidiong, a petty trader said her son, late Mr Imo Udoidiong came home from Uyo City Polytechnic, where he was a student and decided to visit a viewing centre.

Continuing with her ordeal, she said after some hours his friend came to announce that her son was shot dead by a police officer who demanded money from him.

Udoidiong said the family of the police officer involved only supported her with N200,000 to buy coffin and bury him.

She added that since then, she has been neglected and the police had not shown concern.

“Family of the police officer promised to give me N1, 000, 000 for me to move on with my life. But till today no body has given me anything. They only gave me N200,000 to buy coffin to bury my son,” she said.

An eyewitness, a mechanic engineer, Mr Ubong Monday told the panel that the decease was his classmate in secondary school, whom he met on his way to buy spare parts.

Monday said that late Udoidiong asked for assistant to reach where he was going since he was using a motorcycle.

“close to Ukanafun stadium, some policemen stopped us and demanded for N100 before we could pass.

“We told them that we do not have money to give, and my friend went down from the motorcycle to meet the leader of the patrol in their vehicle for explanation.

“Then the Senior officer told them to allow us to pass. When Udoidiong tried to climb the the bike, Ekanem (the suspect) came with his friend and attack him with sticks for reporting him.

“Not satified, Ekanem went and brought a gun, cork it and shot Udoidiong who died instantly.

“When queried on why he shot the victim at the police station in Ukanafun, Ekanem said it was an accidental discharge,” he said.

Meanwhile, Counsel to the petitioner, Mr Augustine Udoh, has prayed the court to drag the suspected police who was said to have been dismissed from service to appear for questioning on the matter.

However, the Panel headed by Justice Ifiok Ukana (rtd) adjourned the case to Jan. 21, for further hearing.