By Ummi Ismaeel,
Minna
Minna-based journalist cum publisher, Malam Yahaya Usman, yesterday in Minna, Niger State capital, narrated before the Judicial Commission of Inquiry (JCI) looking into alleged police brutality how he was arrested and detained in the same cell with some suspected kidnappers.
Usman, who testified before the resumed sitting of the Commission of Inquiry, also claimed that apart from the cell, which he said was not only small, but overcrowded and un-conducive for human habitation.
“You can only enter the cell with the side because the door is not wide enough to allow for people to enter directly without having some part of your body scratched to the wall. It is just about two feet wide”, he said.
Usman, who is also the publisher of ‘Niger Watch Magazine,’ in his description of the correctional facility said that the cell was just about six feet underground with only a pit latrine serving virtually all the occupants.
“When I reported back to the CID Unit Nigeria Police on the 24th of July, 2020 I was again detained by officers of the unit led by one ASP Abraham Zagi and three others under the instruction of DC Abdullahi Tahir in a cell.
“Unfortunately and surprising though, I was detained along with some kidnap suspects in a decked room without a window or lighting with the pit toilet at the centre of the room and no space to lie down.
“I was forced to remain in a squatting position until I was granted bail the following morning. At times they will bring you a bucket to pass excreta into when the only pit latrine is in use”, he said, adding that the condition he found himself was not only inhuman but fit for only animals.
“My Lord the place is not fit for human habitation. I have to go into self-isolation after being released”.
Usman further narrated how he was invited by the police on trumped up charges by an official of Niger State government when he was on his way to finalize a N10 million endorsement deal in Abuja, a deal he claimed he eventually lost because he was detained by the police.
The journalist is claiming N10 million endorsement and as well, the N200, 000 daily from 24th -28th July and for the 14 days he was in self-isolation.
Usman also said that he was also claiming N50 million as damages for mental and psychological trauma suffered while in the hands of the Nigeria Police Force.
However, the Police, represented by the Command’s Head of Legal Unit, Superintendent of Police, Jude Akaeze, denied the claims of Usman.
Akaeze, who insisted that the petitioner was not detained in a cell but in an office where statements of suspects are usually taken, explained that contrary to claims, “the Cells in Niger State Police Command are in good condition”.
On the request of Counsel to the petitioner, Alhaji Tanko Beji, the chairman of the Commission, Justice Ishyaku Usman, said that the 14-man panel will visit the state Police Command to verify claims of the petitioner.
It was however gathered that not less than 14 petitions had been received by the Commission of Inquiry but one of them may be thrown out because efforts by Secretariat to reach the petitioner failed to yield desired results.