Officers of the Imo State police command have allegedly beaten up a magistrate of the Umuneke-Ngor division of the state Magistrate Court, Ngozi Onyenemezu.
The incident took place yesterday after she discharged robbery suspects brought before the court by the policemen.
Emma Eke and Chukwuemeka Anyanwu, who are lawyers representing the suspects, were also allegedly beaten up by the police.
Chinedu Agu, Assistant Secretary of Owerri chapter of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), recounted the story to newsmen.
He said the counsels had asked the court to strike the charge and discharge the accused persons, which the court did after hearing arguments from both sides.
Agu said: “In his ruling, the court upheld the arguments of the counsel and struck out the charge. Immediately the ruling was delivered and while the court was still sitting, the police went berserk.
“They shouted and rained vituperations on the magistrate and made to rearrest the accused persons. When the court wanted to call them to order, the policemen made for the magistrate like rabid dogs and the magistrate quickly took refuge in his chambers.
“Some other lawyers and litigants scampered to safety when the police started shooting into the air. Anyanwu in the process escaped the beating by the police and scurried into the Magistrate’s chambers.
“The policemen, led by the DPO of that division, banged on the door of the magistrate’s chambers, accusing him of taking a bribe and threatening to break down the door if he didn’t open it.
“The DPO got hold of the accused persons and in the process of rearresting them, one escaped. He accused Eke of complicity in the escape of the other accused person.
“Before he could explain himself, he got hold of one of the nail-ridden chairs and smashed it on Eke’s head. Other policemen joined in this orgy and Emma was maimed and beaten into a pulp.
“It took the quick intervention of the Area Commander who arrived at the scene to rescue the magistrate.”
The State Police Command has, however, denied the allegations.
The spokesperson, Andrew Enwerem told journalists that it was the lawyers who attacked policemen, and that the policemen neither beat the Chief Magistrate nor attacked the court.
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