The Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Owo branch has described as
barbaric and recklessness the killing of a haulage truck driver by
a policeman attached to the Ondo State Police Command.
According to the NBA in a statement issued on Tuesday by the
branch Chairman, Tajudeen Olutope Ahmed emphasized that the act was
an act of bestiality which negates the right to life as entrenched
in the constitution.
Recall that how a policeman at Uso checkpoint shot at the driver
who was on transit through the state at close over argument of N50
bribed demanded by the trigger happy police.
While stating that the unprofessional conduct of the policemen
at the Uso checkpoint is unbecoming, the NBA Chairman berated the
police authority for allegedly turning a blind eye on the
embarrassing attitude of its men who he said are found of harassing
citizens who they are to protect.
The statement reads, “NBA Owo branch condemns in strong terms
the dastard act of the police officer that led to the untimely
death of a citizen. As far as the Bar is concerned, the killing of
the truck driver by the errant policeman was barbaric, gruesome,
unwarranted and condemnable. It was an affront on the
constitutional rights of citizens to life and freedom of movement.
It was a most despicable act of bestiality.
“As an organization whose major focus is ensuring the promotion
of the rule of law, NBA Owo branch has always been concerned about
the reckless, arbitrary and naked display of brutality by the
policemen on Uso roadblocks. In some cases, members of our branch
have had cause to intervene whenever policemen on Uso roadblocks
are out to harass, assault and dehumanize commuters. The killing of
the innocent truck driver by the lawless, reckless and tactless
police officer was the crescendo of the unsavoury acts of the
policemen mounting roadblocks at Uso.
“While saluting the timely response of the Ondo State police
command to the ugly and unfortunate incident through a press
release issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Femi
Joseph; the Ondo State police command should take a step beyond the
mere condemnation of the uncivilized act of the police officer by
ensuring that only police officers with confirmed stable
psychological and mental status are allowed to man police
checkpoints. The attitude and behaviour of most of the police
officers at police checkpoints calls for serious concern, worry,
and attention.
The statement further read that, “NBA Owo branch noted with
delight the resolve of the Ondo State police command to ensure that
the culprit of the “Uso police murder” is made to face the full
wrath of the law. The branch hereby expresses her willingness and
readiness to assist in the due and diligent prosecution of the
culprit, on pro bono public basis.
“NBA Owo branch frowns at the lackadaisical attitude of the
police authorities to the rampant habit of bribe collection by
police officers at police checkpoints. This act of corruption and
ineptitude was the precursor of the horrible and heinous police
killing of innocent truck driver at Uso. Even when the police
checkpoints are supposed to fortify the security of the citizens,
the checkpoints have been turned into corruption centres and
unsecured posts consequent upon bribe collection.
“Finally, the Bar condoles with the family of the deceased and
assures the family of standing with her in getting justice on the
unwarranted killing of her illustrious member. As an advocate of
the rule of law, NBA Owo branch declares the killing of the truck
driver at Uso by the errant police officer as extrajudicial,
uncivilized, illegal, and unlawful.”
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