The family of Mrs Mercy Elvis a gardener to Caroline Naagbo,a former women leader of All Progressive Congress in Rivers State has cried out over alleged intimidation and continous detention of their sister(Mrs Mercy Elvis) by the Olu-Obansajo Police Division in PortHarcourt on the alleged directive of Mrs Naagbo
The elder brother to the gardener,Mr Samuel Aru in an interview with Journalists said his sister(Mercy Elvis) was arrested over case of missing sumo water pump in her work place on Thursday (August 31st,2023) .
Mr Aru disclosed that his sister(Mrs Mercy Elvis) is not the security incharge of the place,she only comes work in the morning by 7am and closes work by 8pm.
Mr Aru explained that when he went to the Police Division at Olu-Obansanjo,PortHarcourt to secure her bail,since the alleged offence is a bailable offence, the Investigating Police Officer(IPO) told him(Mr Aru) that Mrs Naagbo allegedly asked them(Police) not to grant bail to Mrs Mercy Elvis until she pays 120,000 naira for the Sumo water pump or replaces the Sumo water pump.
Mr Aru expressed shock that a Police Officer(s) will take directives from a complainant and jettison professionalism in discharge of their duty.
Mr Aru disclosed that his sister is not feeling well because she is pregnant and has not been able to take her drugs.He further said from the action of the Police is evident that his sister cannot get fair hearing in the case.
Meanwhile a lawyer Jane James Esq who is also a member of Human Rights Committe, Nigeria Bar Association who was at the station had accused the Police Division of taking laws into their hands.
Mrs James said a suspect accused of a crime is supposed to be arraigned in court within twenty four hours of arrest .
She wondered why the Police will allegedly connived with the complainant to keep Mrs Elvis Mercy in their detention without granting her bail or taking her to court if they think she committed an offence.
The spokesperson of Rivers State Police Command,SP Grace Iringe Koko when contacted said she will get back to us but was yet to do so as at press time.
Meanwhile Mrs Caroline Naagbo has described the allegation by the family of Mercy Elvis as tribal blackbail.
Mrs Naagbo in her response via text messages wrote:
Response of Caroline Naagbo on text message
“This is tribal blackmail. Because the evidence is there and the lady ..Mercy is the keeper of the keys to the Garden and there was no sign of break in by anyone else even as the police has confirmed.
Unless she was on a Mission for the serial thefts that has occured since she started working there as in the month of July, another stealing was recorded of flowers worth 560,000.000(Five hundred & sixty thousand Naira) and equally, there was no incident of Break- in.
“Yet she keeps the keys of the Garden.
All the alumaco Windows and doors of the modern toilet facility in that garden has also been stolen.
All in her tenure as a staff and key keeper.This brazenness of denials and self defences so grievously displayed is an open pointer to conspiracy and a network which the police and appropriate authorities is able to handle.
Any media trial will be seen an escape mechanism of cover up.
Go to the police and confirm”.