The Social Democratic Party ( SDP) has called on the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun to institute an independent panel of investigation into the circumstances leading to the killing of a woman in Koton Karfe, Kogi State on Friday, September 29.
Alhaji Hassan Enape , Director of Muritala/Abenemi Governorship Campaign Organisation made the call on Tuesday in Lokoja during a press conference.
Enape said the call on Egbetokun to take over investigation is to ensure justice and fairness to all the parties concerned.
He said the party welcomed the decision by the state police command to investigate the mayhem but said the party does not have confidence and trust in the state police command to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure justice in the matter.
He said the state Commissioner of police has through a statement issued on Monday in Lokoja given himself out as a sympathiser of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and its governorship candidate, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo.
Onuoha had in the statement signed by the PPRO, Willuam Aya said that since Ajaka applied
for Police Security “he was invited to come but till date,he refused to show up, he moves around with a retinue of suspected political Thugs armed to the teeth.
“Consequently,the above facts and scenario, coupled with his recalcitrance and obduracy have continued to jeopardize Police Investigation and maintenance of law and order in the State.”
Enape insisted that Onuoha has shown his bias when he already pronounced the SDP and its governorship candidate, Alhaji Muritala Yakubu Ajaka guilty of the murder before investigation.
The SDP Chieftain said the woman was killed hours before the arrival of Ajaka at Koton Karfe on the fateful day, saying that the woman was killed within the precinct of the palace of Ohimege and not at the SDP campaign venue as erroneously being portrayed by the Commissioner of police said in his statement.
Enape said the SDP is in possession of some evidences to show that the woman was killed by armed political thugs loyal to the ruling APC.
He insisted that the killers were well known to the police and residents of the state, saying the police was only trying to pass the buck and cover up the real killers.
While saying that the SDP is waiting anxiously for the intervention of the Inspector -General of Police, the party also took exception to some derogatory words used to describe the person of Muritala Ajaka, its governorship candidate by the state Commissioner of police, Bethrand Onuoha.
He said all the policemen going around with Ajaka on his campaign train were duly approved and deployed to him by the Inspector -General of police and not armed thugs as said by Onuoha.
Enape said he was shocked that Onuoha could use such derogatory words to described his colleagues who were on genuine official assignment.
Contrary to claims by the Commissioner of police that the SDP was not granted permission to hold the Koton Karfe rally, Enape said all security agencies in the state, including police were duly notified in writing.
He showed copies of the letter written by the SDP to security agencies for permission to hold the rally and the acknowledged copies to buttress his argument.
On the allegation that the SDP and its governorship candidate, Muritala Ajaka, have been evading police invitation, Enape said he believed that Onuoha allegation is either borne out ignorance or share disrespect for the rule of law.
He said that there is a subsisting court order, restraining the police or and other security agencies from arresting or inviting Muritala Ajaka pending the final determination of a suit the SDP Candidate filed before the court.
The party chief said Onuoha is only being mischievous to claim ignorance of this order , saying that Muritala Ajaka will not join hand with him to disobey a court order.
He called on the Commissioner of police to drop his partisanship for APC and focus more on his assignment of protecting live and property , irrespective of religion, tribalism and political leaning.
Enape said the SDP is well ready to contest the governorship election slated for November, saying that no amount of intimidation, oppression and repression from any quarter will prevent the party from winning the election.
The Director of Security of SDP Governorship Campaign Council, retired Brig.-Gen. Benjamin Ibiyomi corroborated Enape submissions on the killing of the woman.
Ibiyomi said the killing of the woman was as a result of unprofessional handling of gun by one of the armed thugs of the APC.
He said the rostrum, canopies and chairs put in place at the venue of the rally were all vandalised by the APC political thugs.
Ibiyomi , however, said the party still managed to hold the rally and commended the people of Koton Karfe for their resolve, loyalty and love for the SDP and its givernorship candidate.
He also used the opportunity to sympathise with the family, friends and the entire people of Koton Karfe over the death of the woman.
Ibiyomi expressed hope that her killers will be identified so that they can face justice. (vitalnewsngr.com)
