How I won police assault case after 5 years – Steiner Opara

On December 12, 2009, I had two projects to execute in connection with my source of livelihood. The first project, the shooting of the musical video of Eugene De Coque, was billed to take place at Beaton Studios, Egbu Road, Owerri. It was scheduled to start at 11.30 a.m. The other project, Uwenja Fashion show 2009, was slated for 6.00 PMat All Seasons Hotel, Owerri on that fateful day. I was a principal participant in the two events. Indeed, I had already entered into a contractual agreement with the organizers.

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At about 10: 45 a.m., I was driving along Okigwe Road, Owerri on my way to Beaton Studios to fulfill my obligations with respect to the first project when I met a heavy traffic build-up at the Prison Junction. Unfortunately, my car was overheating and I couldn’t risk staying long in the traffic. So, I advanced towards Rochas Plaza, opposite Modotel Hotel via a right lane after pleading with another motorist, who allowed me to join the queue behind him on the left lane leading to Wetheral Road.
As soon as I made the above said move, I noticed that a police constable by name Chinenye Nwaigwe had spotted me from afar. Immediately, she advanced towards me and got to me after passing four other vehicles. When she got to me, she ordered another police constable, N.C Nwosu, to enter my car and take me to Shell Camp Police Station. I then moved into Wetheral Road and parked at No. 1 Wetheral.
When Constable N. C Nwosucame into my car, I explained to her that my car was overheating and that if I had not taken the decision to join the right lane, which was flowing freely, the car could have stopped and complicated the already bad traffic situation. Besides, I tried to make her understand that I had an important appointment to keep and that the more she kept me there or insisted that I go to the police station with her; the less likely it was for me to meet up with my appointment. So, I pleaded with her to let me go. When all my pleas failed to persuade her, I then made her to understand that at the point she saw me join the left lane; I was not in the breach of any traffic law.
When my explanations and pleas could not make her to rescind her decision on taking me to the police station, I decided to go with her.To my greatest surprise, she started wrestling the steering from me. I exercised patience until I made a U-turn to go to the Police Station. On reaching FSP Park, I was flagged down by a colleague, Mr. Osuofia. After I explained my situation to him, he decided to put a call through to the then Chief Security Officer (CSO), Government House. However, when the CSO called, the two police constables refused to speak with him. Also, the Divisional Traffic Officer (DTO I), Mr. Peter Calvin, New Owerri Police Station, called but they refused to take his call.
At this juncture, they forcefully took my car keys from me, flagged a taxi and insisted that I enter the taxi. On my refusal while they were trying to force me into the taxi, one of the female police constables, N.C Nwosu hit me twice on the forehead with her baton. Battered and bloodied, they took me to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) at Shell Camp Police Station, Mrs. Ogbodo. There, they seized the writing materials of the courageous journalist, Mr. Ejike Ogbonna who followed me to the station on fact finding. Later, on the instructions of the DPO, that I be given treatment, I was taken to a local patents medical store by Mr. Paul Opurum, a police officer. Not too comfortable with the arrangement, my Lawyer friend, Barrister Kelechi Onyeakazi took me to the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri under the watchdog of Mr. Paul Opurum, where I was treated without any financial contribution from the police. After the treatment, I was accompanied back to the station by my Lawyer, Barrister Kelechi and officer Paul.
Back at the Station, the DPO merely cautioned the policewomen. I was at the police station till the evening of that day and got back to my hospital bed at about 7.55 p.m. As a result of what transpired that day, I missed being part of the musical video shoot of Eugene De Coque and partaking in the Uwenjah Fashion show for which I had already signed the contract. And because I was not part of the Owerri edition, I could not be part of the one held in South Africa as agreed.
Consequently, I lost my financial entitlements in the projects and I paid my hospital bills as the police authorities said they could not pay. Today, I experience excruciating pains occasionally on my forehead as a result of that brutal assault by Constables Chinenye Nwaigwe and N.C Nwosu. So, I am lucky to be a living victim of police brutality, for many have died under such circumstances.
In 2013, I ran into Constable Chinenye Nwaigwe who stopped me, only to threaten me. Asking why I had to let the matter to be published in the print media knowing fully well that it could deprive her of marriage. For that reason, I filled a law suit of fundamental human rightagainst the Nigerian Police Force- Suit No: HOW/111/2013. Today, the 17th day of April, 2014, Justice Justice Ukoha gave judgment in my favour.

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