By Praise Chinecherem
The Anambra State Police Command has refuted alleged demand of N150,000 bail by police officer from parents of suspect said to have died in police custody in Awkuzu, Oyi Local Government Area of the state.
A Twitter handler, @ada_mummyya had alleged demand of N150,000 from the suspect’s parents for the release of their son.
He added that the parent were however informed that their son had passed on getting to the station for the payment.
But the Police Public Relations Officer, Tochukwu Ikenga in a statement, insisted that no money was demanded or collected by the Investigating Police Officer (IPO) or any policeman as attested by the deceased father.
Describing the publication as malicious aimed at inciting the public against the police, Ikenga urged the Twitter handler to come with evidence and witnesses of persons to enable the command come out with facts about what transpired.
He said, “The suspects were arrested on 23/12/2022 by the vigilante operatives Awka and were handed over to Police at State CID, annex, Awkuzu for further investigation.
“It is a case of armed robbery and not a case of two fighting as alleged. The complaint positively identified the three suspects.
“There were marks of violence and serious wound on the body of the complaint as a result of the attack by the suspects.
“The suspect’s statements were taken and they all confessed to the crime. They were detained with others suspects in the cell.
“The other suspects while in custody revealed that as they were sleeping late Uchenna started acting abnormally. He screamed and hit his head on the wall before he slumped.
“The victim was taken to the hospital and he was confirmed dead by the doctor. No money was demanded or collected by the IPO or any Policeman as attested by the deceased father.
“As we wait for the tiwtterhandler to come, We shall do an autopsy to find out the cause of his death. Meanwhile, the case is still under investigation and more findings shall be made public soon.”
