Nigerian Police deny torturing Abuja suspect to death

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has refuted allegations that it tortured Mr. Erasmus Emhenya to death on April 6 while he was in its custody.

The denial was made in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja by the Police Public Relations Officer for the Command, Superintendent of Police Josephine Adeh.

The deceased, who was detained in connection with a murder case, was not subjected to torture, according to Adeh.

According to her, the late Erasmus and one Benjamin Agbasi were arrested for alleged involvement in the stabbing and killing of 25-year-old Blessing Ogbu at the front of Number One Hotel, Nyanya, Abuja.

“Preliminary investigations by the command has however revealed that the suspect was not tortured to death by the Police.

“Meanwhile, the Acting Commissioner of Police, FCT Police Command, DCP Ahmed Musa, has ordered discrete investigations into the remote and immediate cause of death of the suspect while in custody.

“In the same vein, as part of the ongoing investigations, an autopsy to determine the remote cause of his death, has since commenced and the report of the medical examiner is being awaited,” she added.

The spokesperson said the autopsy and other processes would provide the actual cause of Erasmus death.

She said that the CP also “assured that the process would be transparent and the report would be made public in due course.

“The command assures the general public of its unwavering commitment to upholding the rule of law and respect for the fundamental rights of all residents in the FCT.”