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From Aniekan Aniekan, Calabar
The Cross River State government has strongly condemned what it described as a “brazen act of lawlessness and abuse of authority” following the tragic death of 23-year-old Onyekachi Moses Mba in Calabar.
Erasmus Ekpang, the State Information Commissioner, in a statement, lamented that the young man, who sustained grievous injuries allegedly from the reckless actions of a police officer, died after several days of battling for his life in hospital.
Governor Otu, the statement disclosed, has directed the immediate arrest and investigation of the officer involved.
“His Excellency, Senator Prince Bassey Edet Otu, has mandated the Commissioner of Police to effect the immediate arrest of the implicated officer and ensure a thorough investigation into this grievous misconduct.
“Impunity has no sanctuary under this administration. Those entrusted with protecting lives cannot become purveyors of fear and tragedy,” the release stressed.
Governor Otu, according to the statement, warned that any officer who betrays the sacred duty of protection and public trust would face the full weight of the law.
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“Let it be known unequivocally: this government will not shield any agent of the state who undermines justice,” he affirmed.
Mrs. Victoria Mba, the mother of the deceased, has, however, cried foul, saying her son was on a special evangelical mission to preach the gospel and share a vision he claimed he had for the state with the governor.
She said in the course of her son’s evangelism, he was brutalised and shot by a police officer attached to the residence of the state governor before he died in the hospital following injuries sustained. She denied rumours that her son was mentally deranged.
When contacted, the Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, Igris Ewa, said the State Police Commissioner has ordered a thorough investigation of the crime.
In a terse statement, he said, “The case file has already been forwarded to DPP for legal advice. That’s the update, please.”
