Nobody is above the law. In short, everybody is equal before the law. No matter how important a citizen is, he is answerable to the law.
The Police by law has the power to arrest any citizen no matter how highly placed. To effect arrest, there are procedures particularly to a law abiding and responsible citizen.
What happened in Imo state has left much to be desired in the arrest of Uche Nwosu, a former governorship candidate of AAC and by virtue of Supreme Court’s decision, APC. Somebody of the status of Nwosu, who has an address and held responsible positions with a name to protect, can be invited by the Police for clarification on any criminal issue involving him.
The Police claimed they invited him three times which he declined. The question is what are the evidences that Police invited him three times? Any document, text message or what have you? Since the hullabaloo, Police ought to have brought out their evidence of invitation.
Even the place of arrest was a violation of the sacredness of a place of worship and as such it is blasphemous. In some parts of Nigeria, such a violation could have led to a public uproar and a street protest. The outcome which may not be predicted.
Another issue wrong with the arrest was that the policemen ought not to have hooded themselves, thus creating doubt about their authenticity as Policemen. The team ought to be led by a superior officer who after the service, should introduce himself and tell the accused the idea of his offence. These were not done. For handcuffing and throwing the accused into a van flouts the rule of innocence where an accused is assumed innocent until the contrary is established.
Furthermore, it appears the essence of the arrest was to humiliate and disgrace the victim. This could be understood better from the perspective that there is a political alliance between former governor Emeka Ihedioha and Uche Nwosu to wrestle power from Governor Hope Uzodima. Maybe the idea is to diminish the victim’s popularity before the eyes of citizens of Imo state.
In addition, his immediate release does not have a co-relation with his manner of arrest. One would have thought that a man arrested in such dastardly manner might have committed an offence which his release might take a long time.
The attitude of Imo state Government in the whole brouhaha leaves a sour taste in the mouth. If their defence is anything to believe, it is a police matter. But how come they are apologizing? Is it on behalf of the Police or what? Where the government is neutral, it ought to set up a panel of inquiry to look into the circumstances of the arrest.
The Imo state police command did not own up to the arrest rather said it came from the Inspector-General of Police(IGP). The attitude of the IGP by immediately releasing Nwosu did not show that he was privy to the arrest.
Metronetworknews is of the belief that there is much to it than meet the eyes. We, therefore, call on the federal government to set up a panel of inquiry to investigate what really happened so as to assuage angry Nigerians.
It is Uche Nwosu today, who will it be tomorrow? Besides, the Police have alot of allegations and mud smearing on them. The faster allegations against the Police are cleared, the better the image and the responsibilities of the force to carry out its constitutional duties are realised.
A stitch in time saves nine.
