Borno PDP gov. aspirant petitions IGP over illegal detention

From Mustapha Isah Kwaru Maiduguri

Detained Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial aspirant in Borno State, Alhaji Grema Terab has petitioned the Inspector General of Police and the Police Service Commission over his “illegal” detention by the Borno State Police Command.
Terab, who was alleged of complicity in the killing of a man at a political gathering he organized at his residence in Maiduguri about three months ago, was picked up at a meeting of former Vice President Abubakar Atiku with members of the PDP in Borno State.
According to the Borno State Commissioner of Police, Damian Chukwu, Terab was picked up at Atiku’s meeting with Borno PDP stakeholders after he refused several invitations by the police to explain his role in the murder at his residence.
Terab, in the petition dated 19th July 2018 filed by his counsel Abdulmalik Avoswahi & Co. in Abuja, called the attention of the IGP to the violation of a Court Order stopping his arrest, describing the arrest and subsequent detention as illegal.
In the petition which was copied to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the National Human Rights Commission, Amnesty International, the British High Commissioner, the American Ambassador, among, demand was made for the immediate release of the detainee.
Demands were also made for the immediate arrest and prosecution of the killers of Maina Mustapha, and for the Commissioner of Police to desist from further harassing Terab.
The counsel to the accused, also demanded that the IGP take appropriate disciplinary measures against the officers involved in the breach of their clients right, N100 million compensation for the breach of his client’s right and a billion naira for the miscarriage and psychological torture that his wife was subjected to while in detention.
The counsel alleged that the killing of Mr. Maina Mustapha, at Terab’s residence was a bid to frame him up for his stand against injustice and misrule in Borno State.
The counsel said: “It is our brief that on the 15th April, 2018 our client and his supporters had a goodwill rally at his residence located at No. 1 Bishara Close, Adamawa Street, Off Damboa Road, Maiduguri. This good will gathering was in furtherance of our client exercising his right of association as guaranteed in sections 40 and 41 of the 1999 Constitution and basically a show of support which ended peacefully with our client leaving the venue to meet his others upporters.
“However, unknown to our client, those with sinister plans began to cause commotion which led to the stabbing and death of one Mr. Maina Mustapha.”
The counsel also alleged that the police twisted the case against Terab, his family and friends to make them look like criminals instead of the ones attacked.