In this edition of our success story, we bring to you the pathetic story of (Name withheld), who was unjustly arrested and detained by men of the Nigeria Police Force for almost a year before his released through the intervention of CAPIO.
(Name withheld), a 26-year-old man, a native of Amannamnta Ezzamgbo, Ohaukwu LGA Ebonyi State. He’s married with two kids and from a very humble background. He is a commercial tricycle (keke) operator at Abakaliki, Ebonyi State. (He’s major means of livelihood). According to him, he entered into a hire purchase agreement with the supposed owner of the keke and paid substantial amount of money to him, unaware that the keke was stolen. It was on one of his routine tricycle business that he was accosted and arrested by the men of the Nigeria Police Force at a check point and thereafter taken to the police station for interrogation.
He was consequently arraigned on 25th of January, 2018 on a lone count charge of stealing a yellow Bajaj tricycle (Keke). The charge was read to the defendant and he pleaded not guilty and trial commenced on the 7th of February, 2018.
The prosecution field their first witness, the Investigation Police Officer (IPO) who testified and the matter adjourned for cross examination. The defendant could not cross examine him because he was impoverished and could not afford the services of a private legal practitioner of his choice. It was at this point that CAPIO took up the matte on a pro bono basis. With the intervention of CAPIO’s lawyer, the matter went into full trial using the relevant provisions of the administration of the Criminal Justice Law of Enugu State. Judgment was delivered and he defendant was discharged and acquitted. He was grateful to CAPIO for coming to save his life.
