Protest at INHCR's Office over Death of 30-year old Man in Police Custody
Family members of a 30-year-old man, Prince Wreyou, who was found deceased in police custody, on April 17, staged a protest outside the Independent National Human Rights Commission's (INHCR) office. The family is holding INHCR Commissioner Mohammed Fahnbulleh accountable for the circumstances leading to Wreyou's death.
Despite the family's allegations against Fahnbulleh, he denied any involvement in the man's demise. The family accused Fahnbulleh of orchestrating the situation that resulted in Wreyou's death while he was detained at the Salam Police Depot.
The incident took place on Friday, April 12, 2024, at 11 PM while the suspect was in the Police holding cell. The deceased was detained after being charged with Theft by Deception. It is alleged that he extorted Two Hundred United States Dollars from the complainant, promising to repair his vehicle. However, he reportedly failed to do so since the first of April 2024.
Seeking justice for their loss, the family urged INHRC Chairperson, Cllr. Dempster Brown, to ensure a thorough investigation into the matter and prevent any attempts to obstruct justice.
Fahnbulleh admitted to arresting and detaining Wreyou due to a monetary dispute over vehicle repairs, but he vehemently denied any responsibility for Wreyou's death. He clarified that he took the necessary steps to address the situation regarding the repair payment dispute but did not intend for any harm to befall Wreyou.
In response to Fahnbulleh's denial and the family's protests, INHCR assured the public that a fair investigation would be conducted to uncover the truth behind Wreyou's tragic passing.
The wife, children, and other family members of the deceased were sighted crying profusely as they alleged a plot by the Police and Fahnbulleh to bury Wreyou's body without any further investigation into the matter.
Pleading with Cllr. Dempster Brown, INHRC's chairperson to ensure that justice is served in the matter, the deceased older brother, Steve Wreyou, said, “All we want is justice for our late brother, father, husband and breadwinner of our family. From the look of things, there appears to move to scuttle the trial. We are pleading with the Police high command and Lagos state government to ensure that justice is served,” Steve noted.
Steve further narrated that before his brother's death, Fahnbulleh used an unknown person to arrest the deceased, who had been one of Fahnbulleh's trusted mechanics and had worked on the commissioner's vehicle during accountable occasions.
Unfortunately, Steve said, this time his brother received US$200 from Fahnbulleh to fix the commissioner's vehicle, which job he did not perform, leading to him being personally arrested by Fahnbulleh.
“When my brother was arrested, it was Fahnbulleh who put him in the INHCR'S vehicle and drove the deceased to the Salem Depot just for US$200,” Steve said.
But, responding to the protesters, Cllr. Brown assured them that he would ensure that justice is served in the matter.
“Even if any of my commissioners are involved, I will make sure that person is prosecuted according to the law. Nobody will go free in this case,” Brown said.
Fahnbulleh, meanwhile, speaking with journalists assigned to the Temple of Justice, admitted to arresting and detaining the deceased, but said he had absolutely nothing to do with his death.
“He charged me US$400 for the job and I made an advancement payment of US$200, with the balance to be paid later,” Fahnbulleh explained. “I tried calling him on many occasions, but he refused to fix my vehicle. And so I was compelled to use someone else to arrest, which happened and I drove him to the police station. I didn’t order anyone to kill him. I only took him there to have my vehicle fixed or to return my money and vehicle in the same condition he took it,” Fahnbulleh gave a reason for arresting the deceased without the involvement of the police.
Despite the interview, Fahnbulleh likewise wrote on the INHCR's website, accusing Cllr. Brown of linking him to the death of the deceased.
“Interestingly, but not surprising, the Chairperson Cllr. Brown told Truth FM that I told inmates to kill the man and he had gone to the police to arrest me,” Fahnbulleh said.
Fahnbulleh said that he is awaiting tangible pieces of evidence so that he file a lawsuit against his boss for falsely accusing him.
Meanwhile, the Liberia National Police expressed regret over the incident and pledged to conduct a comprehensive investigation, including an inquiry into the circumstances leading to Wreyou's death.
The police authorities have initiated an investigation, including reviewing the conduct of the officers on duty during the incident and labeling the detainees as persons of interest.
The police, in a statement on Thursday, said, IG Gregory Coleman has ordered a comprehensive investigation, including a request to the Minister of Justice to authorize a coroner’s inquest to determine the circumstances of the incident.
The authorities assured the public of an impartial investigation and pledged to release a timely report to ensure that justice is served in this case.