Legal-Action Initiated Against IGP For Failing To Release Investigation Report On Pregnant Woman’s Killing (Full-Details)

A civil society organization, Global Integrity Crusade Network (GICN), has taken legal action against the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, for failing to release the investigation report on the death of a pregnant woman, Mrs. Shitua Aso. The incident, involving Mrs. Asabe Waziri, a staff member of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), occurred on May 30, 2010, in front of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command in Garki 2, Abuja.

According to GICN, Asabe Waziri hit Mrs. Shitua Aso with her car, prompting the police to launch an investigation. However, 14 years later, the findings of this investigation have yet to be released. GICN initially petitioned the Inspector General of Police on May 2, 2024, demanding the release of the investigation report but received no response.

In response to this lack of action, GICN has now filed a lawsuit at the Abuja Federal High Court, seeking a court order to compel the Inspector General of Police to release the investigation report. The lawsuit, identified by the case number FHC/ABM/CS/742/2024 and dated May 29, 2024, includes a request for an order of mandamus to force the immediate release of the final investigation report.

The civil society group argues that the Inspector General’s failure to release the report violates Sections 4 and 5 of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011, labeling it as unjustifiable, wrongful, and illegal. GICN contends that under Section 1 of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011, the respondent, as a public official and custodian of information at the Nigeria Police Force—a public institution as defined by Section 31 of the Act—is obligated to provide the requested information.

GICN highlighted several key points in their suit:
Section 4 of the Police Act, 2020, outlines the duties of the Nigeria Police Force, including the prevention and detection of crime and the protection of life and property.
GICN’s letter, dated May 2, 2024, requested a detailed final investigation report on the case involving Asabe Waziri.
The letter was received by the Inspector General’s office on May 3, 2024.
The statutory seven-day period for responding to the request, as per Section 4(a) of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011, expired on May 10, 2024.
The Inspector General failed to provide the requested information or to notify GICN of any reasons for denial, as required by Section 4(b) of the Act.

GICN maintains that unless compelled by a court order, the Inspector General will continue to withhold the information, which the organization considers a violation of the Freedom of Information Act, 2011.

The plaintiff is also seeking reimbursement for court fines and costs associated with providing Zoom for remote testimonies, totaling N15 million and USD 160,000, respectively.

The suit is yet to be scheduled for a hearing.