Panel adjourns it’s sitting on an alleged extrajudicial killing

The Independent Investigation Panel, which is looking into human rights violations committed by the defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and other police units, adjourned on Tuesday to allow both the prosecution and defense to submit written statements.

Mr Fidelis Ogbobe, the police counsel, informed the panel that he had no witnesses to call.

The Panel Chairman, Justice Suleiman Galadima (Rtd.), had previously summoned the Cross River Commissioner of Police and the State Governor’s Security Adviser.

This was in relation to their alleged involvement in Operation Skolombo, which resulted in the death of Emmanuel Ita Ephraim.

Following his alleged role in depositing Ephraim’s remains in the mortuary of the General Hospital, Calabar, the panel also summoned ASP Marcus Joe to appear before it.

In addition to the directives stated above, the panel ordered the police to produce a certified true copy of the police station’s crime diary in which the movement of the deceased body was documented after he was allegedly killed by Operation Skolombo operatives.

On Tuesday, when the panel reconvened, the police counsel stated that he did not have any witnesses to call.

Following that, Justice Galadima adjourned the hearing until December 2 for the adoption of written addresses by both the prosecution and the defense.

Mr Paul Offiong had filed the petition on behalf of his late brother, Ephraim.

He claimed that Ephraim was murdered extrajudicially.

Offiong joined the defunct SARS Calabar, Operation Skolombo, Calabar, Col. Mohammed Inuwa Hafiz, SP Kabiru Salisu, and the Inspector-General of Police in his petition.

Offiong testified before the panel on November 30 and December 15, 2020.

He claimed that on June 17, 2017, his brother was shot by Operation Skolombo operatives while on his way to church.

DSS, Navy, and NSCDC operatives are part of Operation Skolombo, a security outfit established by the Cross River government to maintain peace and order in the state.

Under cross examination, the fourth respondent, ACP Kabiru Salisu, told the panel that the police personnel involved in Operation Skolombo were not present on the day Ephraim was killed.