Court acquits 14 dismissed policemen of murder in Calabar

The Cross River State High Court Friday acquitted 14 dismissed
policemen who were attached to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad
(SARS) of the murder of a young man, Derek Maurice, and five others
in 2014 in Calabar.

The men were alleged to have killed Derek while he was in
detention.

The deceased’s family had dragged the policemen to court for
murder. The policemen were eventually dismissed.

Delivering the judgement Friday, Justice Obojor Ogar, said the
prosecution did not prove beyond all reasonable doubt that the
accused were guilty of the charges against them.

One of the counsels of the defendants, Gregory Bissong,
expressed satisfaction with the judgement, saying the prosecution
could not provide enough evidence to prove that the men committed
the crime.

However Derek’s mother, Mrs Enoh-Maurice Enang, said they would
take the matter to a higher court.

“This is just the beginning of the matter. Derek had a right to
life. He did not commit any crime. He did not have any problem with
the police. They just killed him because they felt nothing would
happen. My son has been deprived of his right to life. I would not
be deprived of justice in this case,” she said.

The Cross River State High Court Friday acquitted 14 dismissed
policemen who were attached to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad
(SARS) of the murder of a young man, Derek Maurice, and five others
in 2014 in Calabar.

The men were alleged to have killed Derek while he was in
detention.

The deceased’s family had dragged the policemen to court for
murder. The policemen were eventually dismissed.

Delivering the judgement Friday, Justice Obojor Ogar, said the
prosecution did not prove beyond all reasonable doubt that the
accused were guilty of the charges against them.

One of the counsels of the defendants, Gregory Bissong,
expressed satisfaction with the judgement, saying the prosecution
could not provide enough evidence to prove that the men committed
the crime.

However Derek’s mother, Mrs Enoh-Maurice Enang, said they would
take the matter to a higher court.

“This is just the beginning of the matter. Derek had a right to
life. He did not commit any crime. He did not have any problem with
the police. They just killed him because they felt nothing would
happen. My son has been deprived of his right to life. I would not
be deprived of justice in this case,” she said.