Following an application by Spaces for Change | S4C, the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Recent Security Breaches in Imo State has ordered the immediate release of the bodies of Late Magnus Okoro and Late Chidozie Chukwu to their families for burial. By this order made on 28th April 2022, the Commissioner of Police (COP), Imo State Command and the Federal Medical Center (FMC), Owerri are directed to immediately release the corpses of these young men to their mothers—Mrs. Rose Okoro and Mrs. Cecilia Chukwu, both widows from Ubachima Awomama, Oru-East LGA of Imo State—at no cost to their families. The COP and FMC shall carry out this order within 14 days from 28th April 2022.
Spaces for Change has been providing free legal assistance to the widows under the auspices of its pro bono legal assistance program which offers free legal representation to victims of human rights violations. The deceased persons, Late Chidozie Chukwu and Late Magnus Okechukwu Okoro, 39 and 34 years old men respectively, were arrested on the 8th of June, 2021, alongside other youths during a raid of Ubahu and Ubachima communities by officers of the Nigerian Police Force from the State CID, Owerri, on the grounds that local youths burnt down Imo State governor’s country home in Omuma community, Oru East LGA of Imo State. While in custody, the deceased young men were allegedly “transferred to Abuja”. Their bodies were later found at the morgue of the Federal Medical Center, Owerri, Imo State. This prompted Spaces for Change to file petitions against the Nigerian Police Force at the Imo State Judicial Commission of Inquiry on Security Breaches on behalf of two widows, seeking justice for the extrajudicial killings by officers of Anti-kidnapping Unit, State CID Owerri, Imo State.
Despite the controversial circumstances surrounding their death, FMC hospital authorities demanded heavy fees; refused to release the corpses to the bereaved families and referred them to the State CID for clearance. This court order brings relief and closure to mourning families who are already traumatized by the nonchalant attitude of the Imo State Police Command during the hearing. Several attempts to get the Respondents to appear before the Commission have proved abortive. While other claims made against Imo State Police Command are to be determined later, an elated Mrs. Cecilia Chukwu says that this order brings them closer to justice.
Spaces for Change | S4C applauds the Commission for being resolute in upholding the rule of law and protecting the human rights of Imo citizens violated during the series of security breaches in the state. S4C will take all necessary steps to ensure full compliance with these orders.
Signed:
SPACES FOR CHANGE
