Magnus Okoro and Chidozie Chukwu were extrajudicially murdered in the custody of the Nigerian police after they were arrested during a random raid
A non-governmental organization, Spaces for Change, has hailed the decision of the Imo State Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Recent Security Breaches for ordering the immediate release of the bodies of late Magnus Okoro and late Chidozie Chukwu to their families for burial.
Recall that the two men and other youths were arrested in June last year in Ubahu and Ubachima communities on the charge that they were connected to the attack on the country home of Governor Hope Uzodimma in the Oru East local government area of Imo State.
Some of the youths, including Magnus Okoro and Chidozie Chukwu were transferred to Abuja, only for their dead bodies to turn up in the morgue of Federal Medical Centre Owerri.
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The FMC Owerri would not release their bodies unless their families pay a lump sum to the facility and present a clearance note from the police authorities. Spaces for Change then petitioned the Judicial Panel on the ground that the bereaved would be suffering double trauma if they are subjected to that process before burying their dead.
Here’s a statement by Spaces for Change executive director, Victoria Ibezim-Ohaeri explaining what transpired. “By the order made on 28th April 2022, the Commissioner of Police (COP), Imo State Command and the Federal Medical Center (FMC), Owerri are directed to immediately release the corpses of these young men to their mothers—Mrs. Rose Okoro and Mrs Cecilia Chukwu, both widows from Ubachima Awomama, Oru-East LGA of Imo State—at no cost to their families. The COP and FMC shall carry out this order within 14 days from 28th April 2022.
“Spaces for Change has been providing free legal assistance to the widows under the auspices of its pro bono legal assistance program which offers free legal representation to victims of human rights violations. The deceased persons, Late Chidozie Chukwu and Late Magnus OkechukwuOkoro, 39 and 34 years old men respectively, were arrested on the 8th of June, 2021, alongside other youths during a raid of Ubahu and Ubachima communities by officers of the Nigerian Police Force from the State CID, Owerri, on the grounds that local youths burnt down Imo State governor’s country home in Omuma community, Oru East LGA of Imo State. While in custody, the deceased young men were allegedly “transferred to Abuja”. Their bodies were later found at the morgue of the Federal Medical Center, Owerri, Imo State. This prompted Spaces for Change to file petitions against the Nigerian Police Force at the Imo State Judicial Commission of Inquiry on Security Breaches on behalf of two widows, seeking justice for the extrajudicial killings by officers of Anti-kidnapping Unit, State CID Owerri, Imo State.
“Despite the controversial circumstances surrounding their death, FMC hospital authorities demanded heavy fees; refused to release the corpses to the bereaved families and referred them to the State CID for clearance. This court order brings relief and closure to mourning families who are already traumatized by the nonchalant attitude of the Imo State Police Command during the hearing.
“Several attempts to get the Respondents to appear before the Commission have proved abortive. While other claims made against Imo State Police Command are to be determined later, an elated Mrs Cecilia Chukwu says that this order brings them closer to justice.
“Spaces for Change | S4C applauds the Commission for being resolute in upholding the rule of law and protecting the human rights of Imo citizens violated during the series of security breaches in the state. S4C will take all necessary steps to ensure full compliance with these orders.”