The Senate has summoned the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun and two serving Ministers: Ali Pate and Nyesom Wike, of the Health and the Federal Capital Territory, respectively to appear before.
They are to give explanations over the death of a “one chance” robbery victim in the FCT, Greatness Olorunfemi.
A “One chanceâ robbery, rampant in Abuja and Lagos State, is an incident where unsuspecting passengers are lured into commercial vehicles whose occupants are robbers, who physically attack and strip the unwary victims of all their valuables.
Last month, Greatness , according to media reports, was said to have been pushed down from a moving vehicle, believed to be a âone chance carâ along the Maitama-Kubwa expressway.
She was severely injured and was rushed to the hospital for medical treatment where she was allegedly rejected by the officers on duty at the healthcare facility, who insisted on having a police report.
She died moments later.
The Senate summon was sequel to a motion sponsored by Senator representing Cross Rivers South, Asuuquo Ekpenyong (APC Cross River South).
Senator Ekpenyong in his motion quoted the Gunshots Act 2017 which states thus “As from the commencement of this Act, every hospital in Nigeria whether public or private, shall accept or receive for immediate and adequate treatment with or without Police clearance, any person with a gunshot wound.”
He equally quoted section 3 of the Act which states “No gunshot victim shall be refused immediate and adequate treatment whether or not an initial monetary deposit has been paid.”
He further noted that the Senate needed to amend section 13 of the Act for a stiffer penalty against violators of the Act, saying N50,000.00 or five years imprisonment recommended, were nothing to human lives being wasted.
The Senate consequently mandated its Committees on Health and Police to carry out thorough investigation on Olorunfemi’s death and report back in two weeks time.
In his closing remarks after general debate on the motion and adoption of resolutions, the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, said the time has come to make the Police and health personnel in the country adhere to provisions of the Gunshots Act 2017.
“The death of Greatness Olorunfemi was avoidable if provisions of the extant law have been adhered to.Â
“Police and health care providers in the country need to save Nigerians from such avoidable deaths.”
Tribune Online findings revealed that the Minister of FCT also constituted a nine-member panel to investigate the death of Greatness Olorunfemi.
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