- Gowon, Kaunda, Ghali, traditional rulers to mediate in peace talk
The Nigerian Police Force has concluded its interrogation of the Leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Chidi Lloyd, consequently filing a six-count charge against the lawmaker yesterday at a Port Harcourt, High Court.
The charges are, "conspiracy, attempted murder, causing grievous bodily harm, engaging in acts intended to cause grievous harm, malicious damage and assault occasioning harm."
Confirming the development in a telephone chat with our Correspondent in Abuja, Deputy Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba said the police has done its first part of the job and was awaiting the Chief Judge of Rivers State to assign the case to a judge in the state.
Mba, who said the Force would not allow itself to be drawn into partisan politics, said the police will only work according to the law in ensuring that justice is manifestly done in any case before it.
"The police has today (yesterday) filed a six-count charge against Hon. Lloyd at a Port Harcourt High Court, but the usual thing is that the Chief Judge of the state will now assign the case to a particular judge, who will now determine the date of hearing," Mba said.
On the purported torturing of the lawmaker by police interrogators, Mba said police detectives from the office of the Inspector General of Police who handled his interrogation while in Abuja, to the best of my knowledge, exhibited the highest level of professionalism. He said: "They were civil, polite and they related with him respectfully.
As a matter of fact, in order to eliminate all chances of allegations of this nature coming up, his interrogation was actually recorded; it was captured on video just to ensure we do not have such allegations.
"As a matter of fact, he was also a very cooperative suspect, while with us here." He said the lawmaker was never at any time conveyed in a Black Maria from the Port Harcourt Airport to the State Police Command.
According to him, Mr. Lloyd, was conveyed in a modern Armoured Personnel Carrier for his own safety. He said detectives envisaged that his opponents may want to attack him, hence the need to accord the lawmaker maximum security.
Meanwhile, Prominent past leaders, including former Head of State, Dr. Yakubu Gowon and former Zambian President, Kenneth Kaunda are among those that have been invited to a meeting to find lasting solution to the political crisis in the state.
Former United Nations Secretary General , Dr. Boutrous Boutrous Ghali, President Goodluck Jonathan, Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi and traditional rulers are also to attend the peace talk summoned at the instance of Her Royal Majesty Queen Akasoba Duke-Abiola, the Akasoba of Kalabari and Chair, Akasoba Centre for Peace and Conflict Resolution (ACPCR).
National Mirror
I just think interogation is Nigeria's selling point when it comes to killing cases off...Our police force are doing very well in that aspect.