The Deputy Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Leyii Kwanee has dismissed the claims by the Rivers State Police Command of not torturing the Leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly as face saving.
Speaking to newsmen in Port Harcourt,today, the Deputy Speaker lambasted the police denial as insincere pointing out that what is expected of them if they are honest is to investigate the allegation and fish out the culprits rather than deny it without any investigation.
He called on the police headquarters to investigate what happened on the arrival of Hon. Chidi Lloyd to Port Harcourt adding that it was not enough for the police in Abuja to say they treated him well.
Hon. Kwanee said reports available to him showed that Hon. Lloyd was treated with disrespect and violation of his rights and that the reports filtering from the custody is being digested to enable a team of lawyers, the House is assembling to push the case to the ECOWAS Court to enforce Hon. Lloyd’s fundamental human rights.
Hon. Kwanee who is the Chairman, Parliamentary Exchange and Mentorship Programme of the Pan African Parliament, said the idea of going to the international Court is based on the fear that he might not obtain justice considering the powerful interest concerned about the matter.
He described the torture meted to the House Leader as a custodial crime for which any police officer involved in it should be punished.
The Deputy Speaker further stated that the torture of Lloyd ran foul to the 1984 international convention against torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment.
He said it is this type of attitude by federal agencies concerned about the matter that informed the Assembly’s intention to go outside the boundaries to seek justice for the leader of the House.
Hon. Kwanee assured the family, friends and supporters of the Leader that the House will leave no stone unturned to enforce and protect his fundamental human rights pointing out that there was a cause that lead to effect.