Ohore Ogaga, the husband of a woman allegedly detained by the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), has approached the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) panel, requesting N500 million compensation.

The NHRC’s independent panel is investigating alleged rights violations by the defunct SARS and other police units to enforce his fundamental rights.

Ogaga, a trader, accused the police of detaining his wife, Bolanle, and two children for three days.

Through his counsel, the petitioner, Wisdom Elum, filed a petition against one Edwin Patrick of the Intelligence Response Team, Abuja, and the Inspector-General of Police.

Mr. Ogaga also prayed that an additional N50,000 should be given to his wife, being money collected from her before she was and the children were released on bail.

Earlier, the petitioner’s counsel told the panel that on January 12, 2020, three men from the IRT, Garki, arrested his client.

“My client was watching a football match in the company of two of his friends and others. Every effort by the family members to have him released failed. His wife, Bolanle, went to the IRT to ask for his release.

“She was detained alongside her two children for three days. They were only released after she paid N50,000. Patrick told her that her husband had been killed. He also called the victim’s father’s phone and told him the same thing,” he said.

Also testifying, the victim’s friends, Maxwell Ekpo, and Endurance Anyarimo confirmed that they were with Mr. Ogaga watching a football match when he was arrested.

“Three policemen came to the Arena Garden in Mararaba, Nasarawa, where we were watching a football match and arrested Ogaga. The three men came in a painted taxi and whisked him away,” Mr. Ekpo said.

After listening to the testimony, the chairman of the panel, Justice Suleiman Galadima (retd), adjourned the matter until February 25. 

(NAN)