The Sterling Law Centre has criticized the Department of Security Service for purportedly inhumane treatment of one Patrick Okachi, a janitor at the Statement Hotel in Abuja.
The center urged the FCT Commissioner of Police to initiate an immediate inquiry and the prosecution of suspects in the relevant court in a statement jointly endorsed yesterday by its Director, Deji Ajare, and Executive Communication Officer, Adaobi Iyiegbu.
As stated by the center, on November 3, 2022, Okachi, a janitor at the Statement Hotel in Abuja, was conducting his routine duties when he received a call from Celina Okafor, the hotel’s secretary.
“She accused him of pilfering an unspecified amount of money from the office of the Chairman the prior day and asserted that he was captured on CCTV footage. He refuted this claim and requested to view the CCTV video, which was not presented to him.
“Okafor, rather than pursuing the legal approach to investigate and confirm her suspicion, opted for an infamy-laden route by reaching out to one Festus, who arranged for two unscrupulous officials of DSS to enter the office, seize Patrick, and brutally beat him with various types of weapons.
To further coerce him into admitting guilt for the alleged theft, they even forced sharp objects into his penis.
“They transported Patrick to a different site in Dawaki, where they held him for two days. When it became evident that Patrick would not confess to a crime he did not commit, the men released Patrick and abandoned him on the streets of Abuja.”
The center disclosed that the violence had been reported to the Central Police Station at the Federal Secretariat in Abuja, and that an investigation had commenced.
To ensure that efforts to influence the investigation and prosecution of the suspects fail, the center has appealed to the police.
They called upon all relevant bodies, including the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Malami Abubakar, the National Human Rights Commission, the National Committee Against Torture, civil society organizations, and the media, among others, to raise their voices and support Patrick in their respective capacities.
