A widow from Nkek in Ukanafun Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Mfon Udoidiong, has said that a policeman, Idongesit Ekanem, killed her son on September 9, 2017 for failure to give him N100 he demanded.
She made the revelation at the resumed hearing of the Panel of Investigation on Incidences of Police Brutality at the High Court Complex, Uyo on Thursday.
The panel was set up to probe the excesses of policemen, especially those attached to the now disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad.
Udoidiong, a petty trader, said her son, late Imo Udoidiong came home from Uyo City Polytechnic, where he attended school and decided to visit a viewing centre.
She said after some hours, her son’s friend came to announce that he had been shot dead by a police officer, who demanded money from him.
Udoidiong said the family of the police officer involved gave her N200,000 to buy a coffin and bury the son, after which she had been neglected and the police had not shown any concern.
“The family of the police officer promised to give me N1 million for me to move on with my life, but till today, nobody has given me anything. They only gave me N200,000 to buy coffin to bury my son,” she said.
An eyewitness, a mechanic, Ubong Monday, told the panel that the deceased was his classmate in secondary school, whom he met on his way to buy spare parts.
Monday said that the late Udoidiong asked him for a lift to his destination, since he was on a motorcycle.
He said: “Close to Ukanafun stadium, some policemen stopped us and demanded N100 before we could pass. We told them that we did not have money to give, and my friend went down from the motorcycle to meet the leader of the patrol in their vehicle for explanation.
“Then the senior officer told them to allow us to pass. When Udoidiong tried to climb the bike, Ekanem (the suspect) came with his friend and attacked him with sticks for reporting him.
“Not satisfied, Ekanem went and brought a gun, corked it and shot Udoidiong, who died instantly.
“When queried on why he shot the victim at the police station in Ukanafun, Ekanem said it was an accidental discharge.”
Meanwhile, counsel for the petitioner, Augustine Udoh, has prayed the panel to ensure that the suspected police officer, who has reportedly been dismissed from service, appears for questioning on the matter.
The panel, headed by retired Justice Ifiok Ukana, adjourned the case to January 21 for further hearing.