MISSING WATER PUMP: Family Accuses Rivers APC Chieftain Of Intimidation
3 min read
by Our CorrespondentThe family of Mrs Mercy Elvis, a gardener to Caroline Naagbo, a former Women Leader of All Progressives Congress (APC), in Rivers State has cried out over alleged intimidation and continous detention of their sister (Mrs Mercy Elvis) by the Olu-Obansajo Police Division in Port Harcourt on the alleged directive of her employee, Mrs Caroline Naagbo.
The elder brother to the gardener, Mr Samuel Aru in an interview with Journalists said his sister (Mercy Elvis) was arrested over case of missing surmo water pump in her work place on Thursday, August 31st, 2023 by her employee.
Mr Aru disclosed that his sister is not the security incharge of the place, hinted that she resumes work in the morning by 7am and closes by 8pm.
He explained that when he went to the Police Division at Olu-Obansanjo, Port Harcourt to secure her bail, since the alleged offence is a bailable offence, the Investigating Police Officer (IPO) told him that Mrs Naagbo allegedly asked them (Police) not to grant her bail except she (Mrs Mercy Elvis) pays N120,000 for the Surmo water pump or it is replaced.
Mr Aru expressed shock that a Police Officer will take directives from a complainant and jettison professionalism in discharge of their duty.
He further disclosed that his sister is not feeling well because she is pregnant and has not been able to take her drugs. He noted that from the action of the Police, is evident that his sister cannot get fair hearing in the case.
Meanwhile a lawyer Jane James Esq who is also a member of Human Rights Committe, Nigeria Bar Association who was at the station had accused the Police Division of taking laws into their hands.
Barr. James said a suspect accused of a crime is supposed to be arraigned in court within twenty four hours of arrest .
She wondered why the Police will allegedly connive with the complainant to keep Mrs Elvis Mercy in their detention without granting her bail or taking her to court if they think she committed an offence.
In her reaction on the accusation of intimidation and armtwisting the Police not to grant the detained pregnant suspect bail, Mrs Caroline Naagbo said; “This is tribal blackmail. Because the evidence is there and the lady, Mercy is the keeper of the keys to the Garden and there was no sign of break in by anyone else even as the police has confirmed.
“Unless she was on a mission for the serial thefts that has occured since she started working there as in the month of July, another stealing was recorded of flowers worth 560,000.00 (Five hundred & sixty thousand Naira) and equally, there was no incident of break- in.
“Yet she keeps the keys of the Garden.
“All the alumaco windows and doors of the modern toilet facility in that garden has also been stolen.
“All in her tenure as a staff and key keeper.This brazenness of denials and self defences so grievously displayed is an open pointer to conspiracy and a network which the police and appropriate authorities is able to handle.
“Any media trial will be seen as an escape mechanism of cover up. Go to the police and confirm.”
When contacted, the Rivers State Police Command Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Grace Iringi Koko said when she got in touch with the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Olu-Obansanjo Police Division, the DPO informed her that the pregnant woman was granted bail but no reasonable surety that is what delayed her bail.
That she has been granted bail. SP Koko said she was also informed by the DPO that the case will be taken to court on Monday.
