A Deputy Superintendent of Police (name withheld) has been queried by the Plateau State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Chris Olakpe,over alleged shooting of a lawyer at a public function in December last year.
The query came following a petition by a group known as Young Lawyers Forum, a body under the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, over what they called the reckless use of firearm by the officer against one Michael Alloy Dawan.
Addressed to the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar and signed by the group’s President, M.K. Habila, the petition called for investigation into the conduct of the said officer which it said was a dent on the image of the force.
“We write this petition, in the interest of one of our members, Micheal Alloy Dawan Esq, who was shot on December 21, 2012 by an officer (name withheld) for no just cause without provocation.
“On the said day our colleague performed the duty of the best man of his friend at a wedding. At the end of the wedding which took place at the Water Ways Resort, Bukuru Low Cost, Jos our colleague together with the groom and some friends stayed back to sort out outstanding issues with the management of the resort.
“And at about 6. 30 pm the said DSP came to the venue of the reception in mufti in the company of two ladies and ordered that some tables be removed for him to give him access to pass. One of the friends of the groom responded that there was enough space and that people have been using the said access without complaints. To the surprise of everybody the DSP turned around, pulled out a pistol and shot our colleague,” the petition said.
According to the petition, “He was immediately rushed to the PlateauStateSpecialist Hospital and after series of X-ray tests and blood transfusion he was transferred to the Jos University Teaching Hospital until the January 1, 2013, when he was discharged and given further appointments as an out-patient.
“We appeal to the Inspector General of Police to look into this matter and ensure that justice is done.”
Confirming the incident, Police Public Relations Officer of the Plateau State Command, Mr. John Onuigbo said the commissioner has acted on the complaint by issuing the officer a query, adding that the command had also agreed to settle the medical bills of the shot legal practitioner.
