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| The Late Ademola |
An Ikeja District Coroner, Magistrate Tajudeen Elias, who is conducting an inquest into the death of Abiodun Ademola, during the January subsidy protests in Lagos has issued a bench warrant against two policemen.
Elias issued bench warrants against Rexman Ihekweazu, an assistant superintendent of police, and Athanasius Ohaire, an Inspector, for failing repeatedly to appear before the coroner as witnesses despite being summoned.
At the resumed hearing on Wednesday, police lawyer, ASP Cyril Ejiofor, told the coroner that he was fed up with the continued failure of the two policemen to heed the court summons.
He said he had tried all he could to bring the two police officers to court but to no avail.
He said, “I have called these two officers on the telephone, sent signals and even taken summons to them yet they refused to come to court.
“There is this notion that policemen cannot be arrested by their colleagues. I want this court to make an order compelling the Commissioner of Police to do everything possible to ensure their presence in court or preferably issue a bench warrant against them.”
Chinelo Chinweze, lawyer to Access to Justice, an interested party in the inquest, said she had no objection to Ejiofor’s application.
“I have no objection with the application made by the police counsel. In fact, I express commendation for the bold step taken by him in this matter,” she said.
Elias while issuing the warrant said the CP must produce them before him at the next sitting.
“A bench warrant is hereby issued against these two police officers and the Lagos State Commissioner of Police is ordered to ensure that they attend the court sitting at the next adjourned date.”
Elias subsequently adjourned till November 14 for further hearing.
Ademola was allegedly killed on January 9 by the Divisional Police Officer of Pen Cinema Division, Segun Fabunmi, during the nationwide anti-fuel subsidy protests.
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