Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Condemns Alleged Police Killing Of Youth Who Claimed Divine Message For Governor In Cross River

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The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has demanded the protection of the mother of a 22-year-old man allegedly killed by one of the security aides attached to Governor Bassey Otu of Cross River.

This was contained in a petition to the state’s Commissioner of Police, Rashid Afegbua, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Calabar on Sunday.

Mr Enome Amatey, Chairman of the Cross River branch of the NBA, said in the petition that the deceased’s mother, Mrs Victoria Mba, and her family have faced intimidation and harassment in their quest for justice over the death.

The lawyers also demanded a transparent investigation into the alleged killing, and stated that the attempt to label the deceased as mentally ill, without verifiable medical evidence, must cease immediately.

The NBA said that such an attempt undermined the integrity of the investigation and the dignity of the deceased.

According to the petition, the alleged extrajudicial killing of Moses Mba by police officers erodes public trust in the Nigerian Police Force and raises critical issues of accountability, transparency, and justice.

“Furthermore, the reported attempt to stigmatise the deceased as mentally ill without credible evidence appears to be an affront to his dignity and an apparent effort to subvert the truth and exculpate the officers responsible.

“So, we demand an immediate, comprehensive, thorough, and transparent investigation into the death of the young man.

“This investigation must be conducted with the highest standards of professionalism and independence to ascertain the facts and ensure that those responsible are held accountable.

“The investigation, as well as its findings, should be made public in a timely manner to ensure transparency, accountability, and restore public confidence in the Nigerian justice system and the Nigerian Police Force,” it stated.

The Bar noted that it has taken an interest in the tragic incident, particularly as it pertains to the fundamental rights to life, dignity, and fair treatment under the law, as enshrined in the Constitution.

“The Bar remains committed to its core mandate of upholding the rule of law, protecting human rights, and ensuring justice, and is deeply troubled by the reported circumstances surrounding this incident.

“More worrisome is the fact that the Nigerian Police Force, which is saddled with the responsibility of protecting the lives and property of Nigerians, is now found at the centre of this unfortunate incident,” it said.

It would be recalled that the 22-year-old man was allegedly beaten and shot by a security aide attached to the residence of the Governor of Cross River, Bassey Otu, on August 1.

The deceased was alleged to have visited the governor’s residence and requested to see him, claiming he had a message from God to deliver.

The deceased’s mother explained that the young man died on August 9 at the Naval Reference Hospital in Calabar, following injuries sustained from the beating and gunshot.

“We (my husband and I) were actually away in Abia State when the incident occurred, and we got a call the same day upon arrival from an official of the Red Cross Society, who rushed him to the hospital.

“Upon our arrival at the hospital, we sought to enquire from our son about the events that led to the beating and subsequent shooting.

“According to him, he only requested to see the governor and said he had a message for him from God.

“I am not making any excuses for him. My son has always been in love with God’s work from the age of 10, and he has been seeing things (revelations).

“We only pleaded with him to finish his education before fully pursuing God’s work,” she explained.

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