Richard Ginika Izuora
The Independent Investigative Panel on allegations of human rights violations by the defunct Special Anti – Robbery Squad (SARS) and other units of the Nigerian Police on Wednesday, ordered the Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, to pay medical bills for the full recovery of a civilian shot in the thigh by the Police.
The IGP had already made payment for the first surgery performed on one Julius Ogalanya, whose thigh, was reportedly “shattered by gunshots fired by one Gabriel Adi of the Nigeria Police.”
The panel ordered the IGP to take full financial responsibility of the victim’s health condition “until full recovery.”
Ogalanya had petitioned the Police over the sad development and was subsequently referred to the Gwagwalada General Hospital for surgery on his thigh.
The petitioner also testified that the Police had made payments for his first surgery.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) reports that “However, Julius Ogalanya at the resumed hearing pleaded with the panel that he was due for another surgery, but lacks the funds to carry out the operation.”
The Chairman of the Panel, Justice Suleiman Galadima, observed that the Police infringed on the petitioner’s fundamental right and thus ordered that the IGP should pay medical bills of the petitioner.
The case was then adjourned for the panel’s report.
