*Victim’s Lawyer Demands Compensatory Damages
THE Anambra State Government has dismissed eight operatives of the Agunechemba security outfit over the recent assault of a female corps member as seen in a viral online video.
The operatives would be handed over to the police for prosecution upon conclusion of investigation.
Special Adviser to the Governor Chukwuma Soludo on Community Security, Ken Emeakayi, speaking at the outfit’s headquarters in Awka, on Wednesday, August 20, said government took the decision after receiving reports of the incident, assuring that any officer found guilty of misconduct would face immediate dismissal and prosecution.
Emeakayi explained that the dismissed operatives were in pursuit of suspected cultists when they attacked the corps member, an action he described as condemnable and outside their mandate.
He said the Soludo administration would not tolerate any form of unprofessionalism, brutality or abuse of office by security operatives, reiterating that any officer found guilty of misconduct will face immediate dismissal and prosecution.
He stated that the incident will serve as a turning point in reforming the outfit and restoring public confidence in community security operations, saying government was committed to professionalism, accountability and respect for human rights in all security engagements.
The victim’s lawyer, Cyrus Onu, has called for the prosecution of the operatives and compensation for the corps members.
In a television interview, on Wedenesday, he stated: “We have written petitions to the Anambra State Government, Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and we have been demanding that these persons be prosecuted and that they pay compensatory damages. We gave a timeline; it is allowed by the law.
“After that, we’ll take all the necessary steps, both civil and criminal, to ensure that these persons are not just prosecuted, but, of course, the security outfit itself and the persons in charge, who will be the executive governor of Anambra State, will be made to pay compensation.
“We are demanding compensatory damages, not just criminal prosecutions for these persons.”
