Extra Judicial Killing: Youths Protest Slow Pace of Justice 14 Years After

Members of Ekwulobia Imeobi Obinwanne Youth Association, Lagos, has appealed to Solomon Arase, the new inspector-general of Police to reopen investigation into the case of extra judicial killing of four members of the association fourteen years ago. In a statement signed by Akaraka Ezeonara, president of the association, the embittered youths also called for the provision of the Police findings if investigations have been concluded on the matter. “Our hope is raised by the commitment of the current IGP to tackle corruption and abuse of human rights in the Nigeria Police”, the statement read in part. At the 14-year-commemorative programme held at Network Of Police Reforms In Nigeria, NOPRIN secretariat, Ikeja, Lagos, the members of the association displayed placards with various inscriptions such as: “IGP Solomon Arase do justice to our murdered brothers by every detail you already have with you”; 14 years of gruesome murder of four innocent youths, we demand for justice from all authorities in Nigeria.”

After a fruitless efforts at getting justice and making the Police to provide the remains of the murdered traders, Akaraka said the case was brought before a Lagos High court, Igbosere, but the youths view the ruling of justice Oyindamola Ogala on March 9 as “yet another subterfuge to deny us justice. But we are not deterred. We will never give up the fight until we get justice,” Akaraka said. The youths said they suspect a cover-up and are willing to go to any length to get justice.
On July 1, 2001, Anthony Ezenwafor, Chukwuemika Ezeofor, Izuchukwu Ezeama and Aloysius Osigwe, were allegedly gruesomely murdered by some policemen from Aguda Police Station under Area’ C’ of Lagos State Police Command. The police claimed they were armed robbers though they are yet to prove it. The youths are demanding for the remains of the murdered youths to be released to them for proper burial, while at the same time demanding for a compensation for the families of the deceased. They are also asking for an impartial trial of the killers.