The Ekata Ogbeide family of Uromi in Edo has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police over the alleged extra-judicial killing of their son, Fidelis Ekata, by police operatives on March 2, 2022.

In the petition, the family also demanded N200 million as compensation for the loss and trauma being suffered by its members, claiming that Mr Ekata was their breadwinner.

The police had told a news conference in Benin in March 2022 that officers shot Mr Ekata to death on Okkenken Road, Uromi, as a wanted notorious armed robber and jailbird.

The police alleged at the news conference that Mr Ekata escaped from the Benin Correctional Facility during the October 2020 “#End SARS’’ protest.

In the petition to the IGP dated August 8, 2023, the family’s lawyer, C.M. Uche-Enwere, refuted all the allegations against Mr Ekata by the police.

The police acknowledged receipt of the petition on August 15.

The family claimed that Mr Ekata was neither an armed robber nor an escapee.

The family described the murder of Mr Ekata as an extrajudicial killing by the police and demanded a retraction of all allegations against the deceased as published.

The petition read, “Consequent to the unlawful killing of Fidelis Ekata, the family has suffered setbacks, severe loss and traumatised due to the fact that he was the family’s breadwinner.

“It is premised on the sad loss and unanticipated death of Fidelis Ekata that we write that his family be indemnified by way of compensation to the tune of N200 million.

“This is for the wrongful killing, loss and trauma being suffered by his dependents.

“Should you fail, refuse or neglect to compensate our client to the tune of N200 million, we shall institute legal action to enforce the rights of the deceased and the family members.’’

Meanwhile, a letter signed by one Idemudia P., a Superintendent of Correction at the Benin Correctional Centre, stated that Mr Ekata was neither remanded at the custodial centre nor escaped from custody.

(NAN)