Policeman Killed My Son Over N100, Widow Tells Akwa Ibom Panel

A widow, Mrs Mfon Udoidiong, from Nkek community in the Ukanafun Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, has told the panel on police brutality that a policeman, Idongesit Ekanem, allegedly killed her son over N100.

She said the victim, Imo Udoidiong, was shot dead by the policeman on September 9, 2017, on his way to a football viewing centre in Uyo, the state capital.

Mfon made the revelation on Thursday at the resumption of the panel in Uyo after a two-week break.

The widow, a petty trader, explained that her son came home from Uyo City Polytechnic, where he was schooling, and decided to visit a viewing centre.

She added that after some hours, his friend came to announce that he was shot by a policeman after he refused to oblige the cop’s demand for N100.

According to her, the family of the policeman only supported her with N200,000 to buy a coffin for her son

Mfon said since then, she had been neglected and the police had not shown concern in the matter again.

“The family of the policeman promised to give me N1m to move on with my life. But till today, nobody has given me anything,” she added.

A mechanic, Mr Ubong Monday, told the panel that Imo was his secondary school classmate and he met him on the way to buy spare parts.

Monday said, “Close to Ukanafun Stadium, some policemen stopped us while we were on my motorcycle and demanded N100 before they would allow us to pass.

“We told them that we did not have money to give, and my friend went down from the motorcycle to meet the leader of the patrol in their vehicle for explanation.

“Then the senior officer told them to allow us to pass. When Imo tried to mount the motorcycle, Ekanem (the suspect) came with his friends and attacked him with sticks for reporting him to their superior.

“Not satisfied, Ekanem went and brought a gun, corked it and shot Imo, who died instantly. When queried on why he shot the victim at the police station in Ukanafun, Ekanem said it was an accidental discharge.”

Meanwhile, counsel for the petitioner, Mr Augustine Udoh, prayed the panel to invite the dismissed killer cop.

The panel, headed by Justice Ifiok Ukana, however, adjourned the case till January 21, 2021 for further hearing.