Alleged extra judicial killing: Panel adjourns sitting over lack of witnesses

The Independent Investigation Panel investigating human rights violations by the defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and other units of the police in Cross River, on Tuesday, adjourned its sitting for the adoption of written addresses by both the prosecution and defence.

This move came after the police counsel, Fidelis Ogbobe, told the panel that he had no witnesses to call.

The Panel Chairman, Justice Suleiman Galadima (Rtd.), had earlier directed the Commissioner of Police, Cross River and the Security Adviser to the State Governor to appear before it. This was in connection with their alleged roles in Operation Skolombo which resulted in the death of one Emmanuel Ita Ephraim.

The panel also ordered ASP Marcus Joe to appear before it, following his alleged role in depositing Ephraim’s remains in the mortuary of the General Hospital, Calabar.

The panel, in addition to the above stated directives, mandated the police to produce before the panel a certified true copy of the police station’s crime diary where the movement of the deceased body was documented after he was allegedly killed by Operation Skolombo operatives.

At the panel’s sitting on Tuesday, the counsel to the police said he did not have any witness to call.

Justice Galadima subsequently adjourned the sitting till Dec. 2 for the adoption of written addresses by both prosecution and defence.

The brother of the late Emmanuel Ephraim, Paul Offiong had made a petition alleging the extra judicial killing of Ephraim. In his petition, Offiong joined the defunct SARS Calabar, Operation Skolombo, Calabar, Col. Mohammed Inuwa Hafiz, SP Kabiru Salisu and the Inspector-General of Police.

Offiong who testified before the panel on Nov. 30 and Dec. 15, 2020, said that on June 17, 2017 his brother was shot by operatives of operation Skolombo, while he was on his way to church.

Operation Skolombo includes DSS, Navy and NSCDC operatives, a security outfit set up by the Cross River government to maintain peace and order in the State.

Under cross examination, the fourth respondent ACP Kabiru Salisu told the panel that the police personnel were not part of Operation Skolombo on the day Ephraim was killed.