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Despite her medical history and deteriorating condition, the Investigating Police Officer (IPO) overseeing Thomas’s case, an Assistant Director at the FCID, reportedly ignored her repeated health complaints. Her legal representative, Barrister Ernest Chukwuemeka Okpaga, expressed serious concern over the handling of Thomas’s health, highlighting the failure of the police to provide necessary medical attention.
In a troubling development, it was reported that the Nigerian Police also prevented both Okpaga and Thomas’s family from visiting her, despite the obvious urgency of her situation. Okpaga, further alleging mistreatment, claimed that the Assistant Director of Administration at the Nigeria Police Force’s National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) instructed officers to detain him alongside Thomas in an interrogation room.
Human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong confirmed the alarming situation, sharing an account of Okpaga’s mistreatment on social media. According to Effiong, the police subjected Okpaga to physical abuse, dragging and beating him at the NPF-NCCC in Abuja. Effiong detailed that since Thomas’s arrest, the police had failed to disclose the reasons for her detention or record her statement, violating her legal rights.WORST THAN CORONA VIRUS| Mysterious Virus Outbreak Leaves Women And Girls ‘Dancing’ Uncontrollably In Uganda |Tap To View The Trending Video Now.
Effiong’s post read: “Since the arrest of Abiodun Thomas, the police failed to disclose the reasons for her arrest and detention to her and also failed to take her statement. Today, the police suddenly called the legal team that they were ready to record her statement. Ernest was delegated to go to the NPF-NCCC.”
The events surrounding Thomas’s case have sparked widespread concern, with many human rights advocates calling attention to the police’s apparent disregard for her health and legal entitlements.
The Sequence of Events
According to Ernest Okpaga, on December 19, 2024, he arrived at the FCID, where Thomas is being held, to accompany her as she made her statement at the NPF-NCCC. Despite being detained for seven days without being informed of the charges against her or having her statement recorded, Thomas’s legal team was told that the police were finally ready to proceed with the statement. However, the situation quickly escalated.
Upon arrival at the National Cybercrime Centre, Okpaga explained that he was informed of Thomas’s health condition, specifically her complaints of worsening bleeding and overall poor health. Despite these warnings, the police reportedly neglected to provide medical care.
After Thomas made her statement, Okpaga was preparing to leave when he was abruptly called back by officers. He was informed that Thomas had collapsed shortly after completing her statement. Okpaga, immediately concerned for her wellbeing, urged the police to take her to the hospital for emergency medical care. He also reminded them that Thomas had previously complained of serious health issues during her detention, yet had been denied any form of medical attention.
In response to Okpaga’s intervention, the Assistant Director of Administration at the NPF-NCCC reportedly ordered police officers to detain Okpaga alongside Thomas in an interrogation room until she regained consciousness. When Okpaga resisted this order, he was allegedly subjected to physical assault by the police.
Despite the mistreatment, the Assistant Director eventually relented and ordered that both Thomas and Okpaga be taken to the Police Hospital in Area 11, Garki, Abuja. Thomas was admitted and, according to reports, is now receiving medical treatment while under police care.
Ongoing Concerns
The incident has raised serious questions about the treatment of detainees, especially those with known medical conditions, in Nigerian police custody. Human rights advocates are calling for immediate investigations into the handling of Thomas’s case and the alleged misconduct of the officers involved. Additionally, there are growing concerns about the broader pattern of abuse and neglect toward detainees, particularly those advocating for human rights or speaking out against government actions.WORST THAN CORONA VIRUS| Mysterious Virus Outbreak Leaves Women And Girls ‘Dancing’ Uncontrollably In Uganda |Tap To View The Trending Video Now.
As the situation unfolds, many are calling for justice for Abiodun Thomas, urging the Nigerian authorities to provide her with proper medical care and hold accountable those responsible for her mistreatment.Tap to read the full story here.