Police Shooting: Victim's Family Opt For Legal Representation

Osun Police Watch, a Civil Societies Organisation (CSO) championing disclosure in the police shooting of citizen, Abiola Afolabi Olamide has disclosed that his family would be seeking the services of legal experts.

Osun Police Watch which revealed that it was engaging appropriately to secure the release of Matthew and to also represent Abiola’s family added that the family of Matthew in whose house, Abiola was shot in the leg was also seeking the services of legal experts.

In a press statement signed by Oluwasegun Idowu, the Osun Police Watch spokesperson, the civil group which urged any person or group who may see protest as a way of expressing dissatisfaction in the way Abiola is killed to do so peacefully also charged that they should ensure that it was not hijacked by unscrupulous elements who may see it as an avenue to foment trouble and loot. 

It maintained that it has decided that legal action was a better approach and added that it shall be pursuing it to the very end.

The civil group also explained that it has concluded plans to petition the officer in charge of Housing Police Station to the Commissioner of Police, Osun Command and the Inspector-General of Police.

"From our meeting with CP Olokode and the representative of the Osun State Government, we made it clear that the police must retract itself and thoroughly investigate the incident surrounding Abiola’s death and bring perpetrators to book. 

"We will ensure that officers who are found culpable in the extrajudicial killing of Abiola are prosecuted by the state. 

Protest is a constitutional right but must be conducted peacefully and without violence. 

"As promised by the CP, the family and a representative of the civil society will be granted access to see the corpse of the deceased on Monday once the family is ready.

"We commiserate with the family of the deceased who was unjustly murdered by trigger happy officers and we are resolute in our resolve to reject any form of narrative from the police force that is different from what actually happened and as such we appeal to relevant stakeholders in the Police formation to step in and ensure that justice is seen to be served."

While noting that it was aware of a press release from the state government indicating the commencement of investigations by the Directorate of State Security (DSS), Osun Police Watch commended the move adding that the police lacked the moral right to investigate itself during this period.

"However, we urge the Oyetola led government to urgently set up an inquiry panel comprising of retired police officers and other persons who understand the nitty-gritty of investigation and come out with a report within a week. 

"Findings from this should be made public and sent to the Police service commission for appropriate action.

"We believe that leadership is germane in this matter as only this can convince the people that the government is responsible and concerned about their safety.

We will continue to mount a watch as things unfold until justice is finally served," it concluded.