September 04, (THEWILL) – The Akwa Ibom State Commissioner of Police, CP Amiengheme Andrew, has ordered the immediate arrest and detention for questioning of Mr. Joweigha Michael, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), in connection with the alleged arrest, torture and killing of a fresh University of Uyo graduate, Kubiat Isaac.
The order came on the heels of the fact that preliminary investigation into the matter revealed that Michael was the officer who arrested Kubiat on August 29 at Eni Stores along Nsikak Eduok Avenue, Uyo.
In a petition to the Police Command in Akwa Ibom State, titled: “A CRY FOR JUSTICE,” it was alleged that Kubiat, who was waiting for NYSC enrolment this coming November, was arrested by officers of the B Division, Ewet Housing Estate, on Sunday by 7pm.
They accused him of arm robbery and cultism.
The petition said: “They took him to the station without filing the case they said he has committed, not even asking him of his name and address. They put him in a police cell and beat him to death, that same night: Oh, what a tragedy!
“On Monday, friends heard that he was arrested, went in search of him at different police stations (including the said B Division) but they denied his arrest.
“It was after his Aunty put a call through to people in government, and the Commissioner of Police was questioned, that was when they realized that it was the police squad from B Division that arrested Kubiat, beat him, took him to Police Headquarters, and Ikot Akpan Abia Mortuary, without the notice of any of his relatives.
“What a world, they wasted his life just like that?
“Nigerian police have to be questioned.
“Justice must be served.”
According to a release issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Odiko MacDon, the attention of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command was drawn to the news making the rounds on social media that one Kubiat Isaac who was arrested at Eni Stores was beaten to death by police personnel.
MacDon said it was expedient to state that the said Kubiat was being investigated for the offence of suspected armed robbery and cultism, and had been evading arrest for some time.
He said that he was traced to and arrested at Eni Stores on 29th August 2021, and taken in for questioning.
He narrated: “On arrival at the Division, the DPO ordered that he be transferred to the State CID where the case was pending for a discrete investigation. Unfortunately, the suspect said he was sick. He was taken to the police clinic for treatment, but he gave up the ghost in the process.”
The Commissioner of Police has ordered an autopsy to be conducted in order to determine the cause of death.
MacDon said: “The CP who has great respect for fundamental rights notes that contemporary policing isn’t about torture and should not be tolerated, hence, has vowed that a diligent and transparent investigation will be conducted.
“To actualize this, the CP ordered for the immediate arrest and detention for questioning of one ASP Joweigha Michael, who, preliminary investigation revealed, was the Officer who (carried out) the arrest of the said Kubiat.”
However, the CP condoled with the deceased’s family and assured that the officer, if found culpable, would bear the full weight of the law and be held accountable for his action.
