The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has called for a probe of Police authorities and condemned the alleged extra-judicial killing of one of the attackers of Apostle Johnson Suleman, allegedly by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Auchi, CPS Ayodele Suleiman, after the suspect was arrested alive by members of a vigilante group and handed over to the police.
Seven persons including three policemen and four domestic staff of Apostle Suleman were killed late Friday near Auchi at the Water Tank Junction along the Warake -Auchi Road on his way on his way back from a foreign trip.
RULAAC position comes as the outgoing Commissioner of Police in Edo State, AIG Abutu Yaro, ordered the withdrawal of Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Auchi Division, CSP Ayodele Suleiman, over the controversial death of one of the attackers of the President, Omega Fire Ministries Worldwide.
But the human rights group wants an investigation of the rolr of the Edo Police Commissioner in the extra-judicial killing, if any.
Recall that Suleman himself pointed at a five-year conspiracy targeted at eliminating him, leading for calls for him to be questioned by the Police.
According to a statement by RULAAC’s Executive Director, Okechukwu Nwanguma, the suspect was reportedly arrested alive and handed over to the police.
The group adds, “Information available to RULAAC indicates that the suspect was apprehended by members of a vigilante group who promptly handed him over to the DPO who extrajudicially executed him.
“Killing the suspect is unprofessional and raises questions about motive. The action destroys evidence by denying the opportunity to interrogate and hear from him about other fleeing members of the criminal gang, their probable motive, their likely sponsors, and other vital information surrounding the crime.
“On taking over the suspect from the vigilante group, the police, without any investigation, extrajudicially executed the suspect, denying him the chance – which he is entitled to under the law- to appear in court where his guilt or otherwise would be established following fair trial.
“Could a DPO have unilaterally taken such extrajudicial and reckless action without reference to the Commissioner of Police?
“It would be expected that a DPO, upon receiving a suspect in such a serious crime, would notify his CP. Did the DPO notify his CP? What directives could the DPO have received from the CP that emboldened him to carry out such a heinous, illegal, and scandalous act?
“If it turns out to be the case that the CP Edo ordered the unlawful killing of the arrested suspect, the CP would be liable for giving an unlawful order. But even if the officer who shot the suspect did so convinced that he was obeying superior orders, he will still be held personally liable because obedience to superior orders is no justification or excuse under the Police Act 2020.
“Such an order would be manifestly unlawful.
“A prompt, impartial and exhaustive investigation by an impartial team outside Edo Police Command is warranted.
In a viral video, a voice said to be that of a policeman said, “One of the kidnappers that was caught today (Friday) while the DPO, CSP Ayodele Sulaiman, led the operation along Iyewe-Auchi Road, and after a gun battle, this one (suspect) was gunned down while others escaped with bullet wounds. Bush combing is ongoing.”
Suleiman, however, debunked the position in a tweet on his twitter handle, alleging that the attack was an assassination attempt and alleged that the gunmen weren’t kidnappers.
“Lies…there weren’t kidnappers… He was caught and handed over and the police killed him immediately…Why killing him on the spot? Who is trying to cover up traces?” the preacher asked.
In a statement on Saturday, the outgoing police commissioner in the state ordered the immediate withdrawal of the DPO for debriefing.
“As part of the measures of the Command concerning the circumstances that led to the death of one of the surviving members of the monstrous gang that attacked the convoy of Apostle Johnson Suleiman, General overseer of Omega Fire Ministry, the outgoing CP now AIG Abutu Yaro fdc has ordered the withdrawal of CSP Ayodele Suleiman, DPO Auchi for debriefing at the State Headquarters with immediate effect,” said the statement signed by Edo police spokesman, Iwegbu Jennifer.
“Meanwhile, members of the Public are urged to remain calm and patient as no stone would be left unturned to unearth the circumstances surrounding it.”