…….Says Autopsy revealed deceased was tortured to death
Ubong Sampson – Uyo
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Uyo branch has faulted claims by the Akwa Ibom state Command of the Nigeria Police concerning the death of Kubiat Isaac, a fresh graduate from the University of Uyo who was awaiting being called to the National Youth Service programme when he met his untimely death.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Ememobong Udoh Esq and made available to Niger Delta Searchlight through its Public Relations Officer, Barr. Udeme Rivers, the association condemned events that led to the death of Isaac, pointing particularly on what it termed as “omissions and commissions on the part of the police.
“The NBA Uyo Branch wishes to condemn in the strongest possible terms the events, including various acts of omission and commission on the part of the Nigeria Police, Akwa Ibom Command which resulted in the needless death of a young man fresh out of university, particularly against the backdrop of reports that autopsy revealed signs of torture on the body of the deceased, including bruises and blunt head injuries.
“The Uyo Bar is outraged that an incident like this could still occur even in the aftermath of widely supported public outcry against police brutality in Nigeria which led to the setting up of investigative panels in many states including Akwa Ibom State. For the avoidance of doubt, the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which is the grundnorm of the land cloaks every Nigerian citizen with inalienable rights including the right to life and right to fair hearing, from which springs the principle that all persons are presumed innocent until pronounced guilty by a competent court of law. The tragic untimely death of Mr. Kubiat Akpan in the hands of the police arising from so called allegations clearly offends all norms of human rights and rule of law, and is unacceptable.
“The Nigerian Bar Association, Uyo Branch calls on relevant police authorities to cause a thorough investigation of this public outrage with a view to bringing all those found culpable to justice. The police hierarchy at all levels must stand up and be counted on the side of the people. Enough of this misery”, the statement partly read.
The association in the statenent, further declared its commitment to the cause of defending the rule of law, keeping faith with the masses in defence of their rights and ensuring that the instant grave injury is not swept under the carpet.
While it would be recalled that initial claim by the police as conveyed by the Public Relations Officer of the command, Odiko Macdon, had it that the deceased was arrested on grounds of suspected criminal offence and died due to health complications, famous human rights lawyer and legal representative of the deceased’s family, Inibehe Effiong had, during a briefing of the press, stated that autopsy report had revealed torture and consequent internal injuries on the deceased.
Effiong, who wondering if the police spokesman was in his right senses when putting down his statement, has also led newsmen to the fact that the police has made attempts to conceal the death and traces to it. He particularly referred to record found at the mortuary where the deceased was deposited, where it was discovered that the entry made by the police recorded the deceased as an accident victim.
He further wondered why the police made such false and misleading entry if it was not for the purpose of concealing the act.
