Group Drags IGP to Court Over Failure to Release Probe Report on Pregnant Woman’s Death
A civil society organization, Global Integrity Crusade Network, GICN, has dragged the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, before an Abuja Federal High Cout over failure to release the probe report on the killing of a pregnant woman identified as Mrs Shitua Aso.
In an earlier petition forwarded to the IGP, dated May 2, 2024, GICN alleged that one Asabe Waziri, a staff of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, hit the pregnant woman with her car in front of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Police Command, Garki 2, Abuja, on or about May 30, 2010.
According to petition, the Police immediately commenced investigation into the incident but it is yet to release its findings, 14 years after.
GICN, in the petition, demanded the release of the report of the said investigation.
However, following the failure of the Police to release the report as demanded, GICN has dragged the IGP before an Abuja Federal High Court, asking the court to compel the IGP to release information.
In the originating summons of the suit numbered FHC/ABM/CS/742/2024, the plaintiff, GICN, prayed the court for an order of mandamus compelling the IGP to immediately release the Final Investigation Report on the incident.
“On 2nd May, 2024 the applicant (GICN) wrote a letter to the respondent (IGP) requesting for a comprehensive and detailed FINAL INVESTIGATION REPORT of the case involving Asabe Waziri who hit a pregnant woman named Mrs Shitua Aso with her car in front of the FCT Police Command, Garki 2, Abuja, on 30 May, 2010.
“Till date, the respondent has failed, refused and or neglected to avail the applicant access to the information and documents requested vide their letter dated 2nd May, 2024, which was received at the office of the Respondent on 3rd May, 2024.
“The 7 (Seven) days within which the respondent is required by Section 4 (a) of the Freedom of Information Act. 2011 to furnish the applicant with the information and documents sought began to run from 4th May, 2024, and elapsed on 10 May, 2024.
“However, the respondent did not comply with Section 4 (b) of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011, by giving notice to the applicant that access to all or part of the information sought will not be granted, stating reasons for the denial and the Section of the Act under which the denial is made.
“Unless and until the respondent is compelled by an Order of this Honourable Court, he will continue to refuse the applicant access to the information and documents sought by them from the respondent.
“The failure, refusal and or neglect by the respondent to give the applicant access to the information and documents sought is unjustifiable, wrongful and illegal.
“The applicant is aggrieved and hereby applies that this Honourable Court invokes the provisions of Freedom of Information Act, 2011 particularly Section 1 (3) thereof by issuing a Writ of Mandamus compelling the respondent to allow the applicant access to the information and documents sought in their letter dated 2nd May, 2024, submitted to the respondent in line with his duty.”
The suit is yet to be fixed for hearing.
