PROSECUTE POLICE OFFICERS WHO TORTURED OUR FATHER TO DEATH— OPARA FAMILY CRIES TO IGP

REPORTER: CHINAZO ILECHUKWU

The Opara family of Ezedibia, Emekuku in Owerri North Local Government Area of Imo State is seeking justice for their late father, Levi Opara, who allegedly died in police custody in Owerri.

Mr. Opara was arrested on October 15, 2023 following a report by a police informant, who alleged that the deceased had approached him to hurt his estranged wife to see if the injury could compel the wife to return to his family.

Addressing journalist on behalf of her siblings in Owerri, the daughter of the deceased, Ms. Ihuoma Opara, alleged that her 45-year-old father died two days after he was arrested by a detachment of police in the state known as “Tiger Base” over a dispute between their estranged parents.

Miss Opara said autopsy reports indicated that their father died as a result of physical torture meted to him by the police while in detention at the tiger base.

She explained that the senior policemen, who were suspects in the murder of their father, were arrested shortly after the incident and were moved to zone nine Umuahia for further investigation as directed by the Inspector General of Police but they were later released.

Although the remains of Mr. Opara have since been laid to rest, the children of the deceased are expressing worry about what they term “unduly delay” in prosecuting policemen accused of causing the death of their father.

Ms. Opara is therefore calling on the Attorney General of the State and the Police hierarchy to immediately arraign the suspects in court to ensure justice for their father whose death, since October 2023 had thrown the family into agony.

When contacted, the Commissioner of Police Imo State Command, Mr. Danjuma Aboki, said the matter had since been transferred to Police Zone nine Umuahia, Abia State following a request by the deceased family.

Reacting to the allegation by the deceased family that the police was frustrating the prosecution of the officers accused of complicity in the murder of Mr. Levi Opara, the Police Public Relations Officer in charge of Zone 9, Umuahia, Mr. Bruno Iheanetu, said the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, had directed that the matter be referred to Department of Public Prosecution (DOP) for trial.

Mr. Iheanetu, however, explained that while the suspects were facing internal disciplinary action, the DPP ordered that the officers be granted bail while a fresh autopsy be conducted on the remains of Mr. Opara.

Mr. Iheanetu assured that the suspects would appear in court at the conclusion of the autopsy.

EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU