By ERIC IKHILAE, Abuja

The Independent Investigative Panel on allegations of Human Rights Violations by the defunct SARS and other units of the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) on Thursday handed title document in relation to a parcel of land in Abuja to the owner, Gabriel Ofoma.

Ofoma, had in a petition to the panel, said he submitted the document to court in ration to a criminal trial which ended with the death of the defendant.

He said he had returned to the court to retrieve the document when some policemen, led by Inspector Iliya Dangsedi, accosted him at the premises of Chief Magistrate Court Wuse Zone 6, Abuja, and forced him to hand the document to them.

Based on Ofoma’s compliant, the panel on November 6 this year, ordered the police to produce the title document before it.

On Thursday, the 11-man panel, led by Justice Suleiman Galadima (rtd) gave a judgment and handed the document – a certificate of occupancy in respect of Plot 104 Lugbe, Abuja – to Ofoma.

Justice Galadima said “there is an end to every litigation, and the matter has been put to an end and no more,” and commended the police for complying with the panel’s directive to return the document.

An elated Ofoma, on receiving the document, expressed delight and thanked the panel for its efforts.

Lawyer to the police, DCP James Idachaba told the panel that the police were in the panel to assist it and complainants, which they have been doing and will continue to do the same.

Idacgaba added that the police is not the owner of the title document and the police is not in contention or disputing the fact of the matter, saying the person being prosecuted for theft of the document was no more. (The Nation)

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