Businessman Reports Police Assault to IGP, Seeks Justice for Wrongful Detention

…Held for hours in notorious Abuja police camp lacking windows and toilet facilities

By Soni Daniel, Abuja

An Abuja-based businessman, Kenneth Odeh, has reported three police officers to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), demanding justice after being brutally assaulted and wrongfully detained. Odeh, who resides in Mabglobal Estate, near the Public Service Institute in Abuja, recounted that he was violently attacked by three policemen—led by Deputy Superintendent of Police Isa Momoh, along with officers Itodo and Segun—under the EFAP Metropolitan Bridge on Saturday, August 17, despite not committing any crime.

In a petition dated August 18 and addressed to the IGP, which was reviewed by Vanguard on Thursday, Odeh, who sustained multiple injuries to his head and body, called for a thorough investigation into the attack and his unlawful detention at the Galadinmawa police station. The station is notorious for detaining individuals in a cramped 40-foot container without water, windows, or proper sanitation.

Odeh also reported the loss of his wallet, which contained £1,000, a cap, a power bank, and his Samsung Galaxy Fold 3 phone, which was damaged during the assault.

According to Odeh, the incident began when the officers asked him to open his car’s trunk, which he did. They then requested his vehicle registration documents, which are valid until November. Despite complying, Odeh was shocked when the officers ordered him to follow them to their office in Galadinmawa.

The petition, signed by Graham Ochogwu of Risenarch Attorneys on behalf of Odeh, detailed the ordeal: “They struck him in the face and other parts of his body with the butt of their guns and sticks. It was at this point he realized they were intoxicated. They confiscated his car keys at gunpoint and threatened to kill him. He was forcibly taken into a Hilux van and transported to Galadinmawa police station. During the unprovoked assault, our client lost his wallet containing £1,000, a cap, a 40,000 mAh power bank, and the screen of his Samsung Galaxy Fold 3 phone was shattered.”

“Upon arrival at the station, he was locked up with about 10 other individuals—many of whom have been detained for over two months—in a container lacking ventilation, with only a bucket toilet for sanitation. He was held for over two hours until a retired military officer intervened to secure his release. However, as of the time of writing this petition, his car remains impounded despite repeated requests for its release.”

The petition also mentioned that Odeh sought medical treatment for his injuries and is currently experiencing severe anxiety, physical pain, and concerns for his safety.

“We respectfully request that your esteemed office initiate a comprehensive investigation into this matter and take appropriate disciplinary action against DSP Isa Momoh, Mr. Itodo, Mr. Segun, and the backup team involved in this barbaric assault on our client. Additionally, we seek the return of his car, wallet, and other personal items that went missing during the incident,” the petition concluded.

Pulselens.com