NBA Demands Transparent Investigation On Murder of 23-yr-old Boy In Calabar
Bassey BASSEY
The Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) has demanded for a transparent investigation into the alleged killing of Moses Mba, 21, by a police officer attached to Governor Bassey Otu's residence.
The also demanded or the protection of the mother of the 21-year-old boy allegedly killed by the security aide attached to Gov Bassey Otu of Cross River.
This is contained in a petition to the state's Commissioner of Police, Rashid Afegbua and made available to THE BEAGLES NEWS in Calabar at the weekend.
In the petition signed by the chairman of the Cross River branch of the NBA, Mr Enome Amatey, it said the deceased mother, Mrs Victoria Mba, and her family have faced intimidation and harassment in their quest for justice over the death.
The lawyers also demanded for a transparent investigation into the alleged killing and that the attempt to label the deceased as mentally ill without verifiable medical evidence must cease immediately.
The bar noted that the attempt undermines the integrity of the investigation and the dignity of the human person of the deceased.
According to the petition, "The alleged extrajudicial killing of Moses Mba by police officers erodes public trust in the Nigerian Police Force and raises critical issues of accountability, transparency, and justice.
"Furthermore, the reported attempt to stigmatize the deceased as mentally ill without credible evidence appears to be an affront to his dignity and an apparent effort to subvert the truth and exculpate the officers responsible from responsibility.
"So, we demand an immediate, comprehensive, thorough, and transparent investigation into the death of the boy.
"This investigation must be conducted with the highest standards of professionalism and independence to ascertain the facts and ensure that those responsible are held accountable.
"The investigation, as well as the findings of the investigation, should be made public and in a timely manner to ensure transparency, accountability and restore public confidence in the Nigerian justice system and the Nigerian Police Force," it stated.
The bar noted that it has taken an interest in the tragic incident particularly as it pertains to the fundamental rights to life, dignity, and fair treatment under the law, as enshrined in the constitution.
"The bar remain committed to its core mandate of upholding the rule of law, protecting human rights, aid ensuring justice, is deeply troubled by the reported circumstances surrounding this incident.
"More worrisome is the fact that the Nigerian Police Force, which is saddled with the responsibility of protecting lives and property of Nigerians is now found at the ugly end of the incident," it said.
It would be recalled that the 21-year-old boy was allegedly beaten and shot by a security aide attached to the resident of the governor of Cross River, Bassey Otu, on August 1.
The boy was alleged to have visited the governor's resident and requested to see him as he has a message from God to be delivered to the governor.
The deceased mother explained that the boy died on August 9 at the Naval reference hospital in Calabar following injuries sustained from the beaten and gunshot injury
"We (myself and husband) were actually away in Abia State when the incident occurred and got a called same day upon arrival from official of the Red Cross society that rushed him to the hospital.
"Upon our arrival at the hospital, we sort to enquire from our son the event that led to the beaten and subsequent shooting.
"According to him, he only requested to see the governor and that he had a message for him from God.
"Am not making any excuses for him, my son's had always been in love with God's work right from age 10, and he has been seeing things (revelations), we only pleaded with him to be done with his education before facing God's work fully," she explained.
