Bernard Ogbu, a native of Benue State, was allegedly apprehended by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), which has since been disbanded, in the Federal Capital Territory of Abuja. Three years later, he is still being held without trial or bail.
According to a report, the 43-year-old Ogbu has been in the custody of SARS since March 3, 2019, when he was arrested at his residence in the New Nyanya area of Nasarawa State.
It was also learnt that the SARS operatives who arrested him did not allow anyone to visit him.
A family source claims that the police authority has not yet informed Ogbu’s family of any criminal allegations against him or released him.
Abba Moro, the senator for Benue South Senatorial District, has now demanded that Ogbu, a constituent of his, be produced by the Nigeria Police.
In a statement, the lawmaker revealed that Bernard Ogbu’s wife developed depression and other health complications as a result of the prolonged detention of her husband and died last year, leaving behind four young children.
An Abuja-based legal practitioner, Napoleon Otache, who raised the alarm on behalf of the family over Ogbu’s detention in a petition to the Presidency, Inspector General of Police, IGP, National Assembly, the National Human Rights Commission and other numerous agencies, said the SARS’ operatives also confiscated Ogbu’s personal belongings during the arrest and the operatives have also converted the belongings to their personal use.
Senator Moro condemned the unprofessional conduct of the police for refusing to charge the suspect to court within 48 hours as stipulated in the Nigerian constitution.
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