Police Detain Man For Eight Months Without Trial

The family of Jacob Emmanuel, a 22-year-old a resident of Mpape area in Abuja is presently distressed over the continuous detention of their son by Nigeria Police Force anti-kidnapping outpost in Kado area of the Federal Capital Territory.

Emmanuel, whose health condition is said to currently be in a state of jeopardy was arrested from his house and detained him for eight months without trial.

It was gathered that Emmanuel was arrested in the presence of his mother, a widow, by the Mpape police division before he was transferred to the Anti-Kidnapping Unit in Kado so that the police could extort money from the family.

SaharaReporters gathered from police sources that some lawless operatives had refused the family access till date to the 22-year-old, even as the Investigating Police Officer, identified as Paul Shafi allegedly demanded for N200,000 before he could release the suspect.

The distressed family members, including the mother who is currently sick and receiving medical treatment, had written several petitions, asking the police to produce their son, Emmanuel or charge him to court if there is any offence, rather than keeping him in detention where his health continued to deteriorate.

It was further gathered that the family through a lawyer, U.M. Dakas, Esq. wrote the petitions to the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), the Office of the Inspector-General of Police, the Attorney-General of the Federation, and the Police Service Commission.

Copies of the letter seen by SaharaReporters on Thursday showed that the correspondences were duly acknowledged but the police authorities have failed to produce Jacob Emmanuel after eight months.

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The petition to the FCT commissioner dated September 4, 2024, partly reads, “It is our client’s brief that deceased was arrested sometimes in February 2024 in Mpape, FCT Abuja on the allegation of theft of television…by the nominal. Subsequently, the case was transferred from Mpape Police Station to Life Camp Police Station wherein Paul Shafi (08039234766) was assigned as the Investigation Police Officer (IPO).

“After painstaking, discreet and meticulous jnvestigation by the police, the suspect herein was found culpable of the alleged offence of theft but the offence of attempted kidnapping was not established against him hence the offence which the deceased was detained is a baillable offence but to the shock and bewilderment of our client, the IPO refused to grant the deceased administrative bail or take him to hospital for treatment despite the plead from our client.

“That all the stolen properties were recovered from the suspect through the people who bought the stolen property from the suspect and these people were not charge to court or detain as all of them were released.

“That our client last visit to the deceased sometimes in August 2024 indicate that his health condition was deteriorating and need serious medical attention in order to save his life.

“The suspect is currently at the Abattoir detention facility, Abuja and he has been in detention for the past 8 months with his health condition seriously failing and in need of medical attention.

“Investigation on the case has been concluded and it can be confirmed from the IPO, Paul Shafi.

“We respectfully seek your indulgence to use your high esteemed office to assist us so the matter can be charged to Court or in the alternative grant the suspect administrative pending when the matter will be charged to court. We are grateful in anticipation of your prompt action on this matter.”

While the lawless police personnel at the Anti-Kidnapping unit in Kado, await a bribe from Emmanuel’s family, they transferred the 22-year-old man to their base, the police unit in Guzape, notoriously known as “Abattoir.”

When contacted, the FCT command police spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, that the command would investigate the incident and get back with findings.

“I will investigate the matter and get back to you,” she said.