The Nigerian Police Force has invited a rights activist, Harrison Gwamnishu, over an investigation into a “murder case” following his demand for the release of the prime suspect, Gloria Okolie, who was arrested for alleged links to the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.
Gwamnishu who is the Director-General, Behind Bars Initiative, had posted Gloria Okolie’s detention on Facebook.
He had also gone to the Police Headquarters in Abuja and worked with other activists and lawyers to demand the release of Okolie who has been detained by the police for over 70 days.
However, the police in a letter dated August 25, 2021, instructed Gwamnishu to report to its Edo State Command in Benin City on September 1, 2021.
The letter titled, “Police Invitation Letter Re-Case Of Murder”, was signed by DCP Polycarp Dibia of the Criminal Investigation Department, Zone ‘5’ Headquarters Benin City, Edo State.
The letter obtained by ait.live reads, “This office is investigating a case reported through a written petition to the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone ‘5’ Headquarters, Benin City.
“You are requested to have an interview with the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Criminal Investigation Department, Zone ‘5’ Headquarters, Benin City through the O/C Anti-Vice Section, Zone ‘5’ Headquarters, Benin City, on Wednesday, 1st September 2021 at 1000hrs.
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“Kindly accept the warm regards of the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone ‘5’ Headquarters, Benin City, Edo state.
ait.live had reported how the 22-year-old was reportedly detained at the Intelligence Response Team, IRT office in Owerri, Imo State before she was transferred to Abuja.
Gloria’s uncle, Christian Okolie, had said policemen have so far extorted N280,000 in bribes and demanded an additional N100,000 to free the young lady.
Her family had also alleged that she was used as a maid and sex slave by the officers while in custody. But the Police in a statement had said, “Investigations by the police team revealed that Gloria Okolie takes advantage of her gender and seemingly innocuous looks as camouflage to carry out espionage against military and police targets on behalf of IPOB and its Eastern Security Network, ESN.
The National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, and many civil rights groups had faulted the continued detention of Okolie by the Police and had demanded that the detainee should be released immediately or be charged to court to avail her of her right to fair hearing.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
