In line with Nigeria Police Force disciplinary procedures. Sergeant Anayo Ekezie was found guilty of using his issued smoke gunner in the assault and has been demoted to the rank of Corporal.
The Imo State Police Command has taken disciplinary action against one of its officers, Sergeant Anayo Ekezie, for assaulting a middle-aged man.
A video of the incident, which showed some policemen brutally assaulting the man along the Owerri-Aba road, had gone viral on social media.
Following the widespread outrage, the police command identified the officers involved and subjected them to an orderly room trial. The trial aimed to determine the culpability of the officers and the appropriate disciplinary measures.
According to Henry Okoye, the police command’s spokesman, the three officers involved were found guilty of the allegations. As a result, Sergeant Anayo Ekezie was demoted to the rank of corporal. The two other officers were reprimanded for their roles in the incident.
“The Imo State Police Command, in response to a viral video showing police officers assaulting a man along the Owerri-Aba Road, has identified the officers involved and initiated disciplinary action.
“The officers are Inspector Ofem Obongha, Inspector Obinna Okereke, and Sergeant Anayo Ekezie, all from the Safer Highway Unit.
“Following a review of the video, the command conducted an orderly room trial in line with Nigeria Police Force disciplinary procedures. Sergeant Anayo Ekezie was found guilty of using his issued smoke gunner in the assault and has been demoted to the rank of Corporal.
“Inspectors Obongha and Okereke were severely reprimanded for failing to exercise proper supervisory control, which allowed the unprofessional conduct to occur.
“The Commissioner of Police CP Aboki Danjuma condemned the officers’ actions, describing them as a breach of the Force’s Code of Conduct and human rights standards. He reiterated the zero-tolerance policy for police misconduct and promised appropriate action for those found guilty.”
The command’s action serves as a warning to officers that brutality and unprofessional behavior will not be tolerated.