Slain journalist’s wife seeks justice against police

Mrs Francisca Ogbu, wife of Alexander, a journalist killed by the police personnel during a protest has called for support to enforce court judgment against the Nigeria Police.

Ogbu made the call during a media briefing on Tuesday in Abuja.

She said the husband was brutally shot and killed by men of the Nigeria Police on Jan. 21, 2020 in Abuja during a protest by members of the proscribed Islamic Movement of Nigeria.

She said the family had been fighting for justice since the murder of the husband and had taken several steps, including legal action.

“After three years of legal battle, Justice Mohammed Abubakar of the Federal Capital Territory High Court ordered the Nigeria Police Force to pay a compensation of N50 million to the family of Ogbu.

“Till date, the Nigeria Police Force has failed to comply with the June 23, 2023 judgment of the court and has not filed an appeal.

“Several efforts made to ensure compliance by the Nigeria Police yielded no positive result as police authorities have remained adamant and deliberately, frustrating all attempt to comply with the judgment,” she said.

She said the Nigeria Police had remained adamant in spite of several letters written to the Police Service Commission, Ministry of Police Affairs, National Assembly, the Inspector General of Police and other stakeholders.

“We want to use this opportunity to appeal to well-meaning Nigerians and other stakeholders to join us to compel the Nigeria Police Force to comply with the judgment,” she added.

She said the last four years since the brutal murder of her husband had been traumatising for the family.