Brutalized Couple,IGP Orders Full Investigation Of Torture By Police.

The Inspector-General of Police, Suleiman Abba, has ordered a full scale investigation into the brutalisation of a couple, Ejeh and Grace Smith, by officers and men of the Nigeria Police in Lagos State.
The Smiths were beaten up by a team of policemen led by one Dada Ogunsanya in the Lekki area of the state, with the action getting the support of the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Ikoyi, Aisha Haruna.
A statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Emmanuel Ojukwu, said the directive of Abba was in line with his avowed commitment to protect and uphold the Human Rights of all Nigerians and residents therein.
Ojukwu said the officer involved has been identified and is already undergoing administrative trial, adding that all other officers whose conduct does not speak well on the incident are also being sanctioned, preparatory to further necessary action.
Ojukwu added in the statement: “The IGP further reiterated the determination of the Force to abide by the contents of the newly launched NPF Human Rights Practice Manual, stressing that no abuse of human rights will be tolerated in the Force.”
The Punch had reported on Wednesday that Ejeh and Grace were going home in a taxi when Ogunsanya and six other police officers patrolling the area flagged down their cab at the Lekki Roundabout.
The policeman was said to have asked the cab driver, Ndubuisi Iheaka, to open his boot for a routine check.
He allegedly asked the couple to alight the cab when they asked him to stop flashing his torch on them since the vehicle’s inner lights were on.
In the argument that ensued, our correspondent was told that the police officer hit Ejeh in the eye with the butt of his rifle and punched his wife in the face.
He also allegedly stepped on Grace’s stomach and dragged her on the floor until a stranger passing by intervened and insisted that the policemen call their boss to the scene.
After the Ikoyi DPO, Mrs. Haruna, arrived at the scene, she allegedly supported the officers and gave Grace’s phone to an inspector who deleted all her recordings of the incident.
She also allegedly said she would have locked up the duo in the cell but for their injuries.
The couple was said to have been treated at the Falomo Police Hospital, where they foot their medical bills.