Israel Umoh
A 35-year-old woman from Ndot Usung Idim, Oruk Anam Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom is inconsolable over the death of her child in a police cell in the state.
Mercy Peter Columbus Inyang was arrested by operatives of State Criminal Investigation Department and detained at the facility of Akwa Ibom Police Command, Ikot Akpan Abia in Uyo Local Government Area over her inability to pay bail fund.
The ‘acting’ village head of Ndot Usung Idim, one Sunday James, was said to have ‘reportedly’ lodged complaint against her for allegedly flouting the villager’s directive.
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Speaking with Straightnews on Wednesday, July 6, Mercy said ‘‘One Sunday James parading as ‘acting’ Village Head was angry with me for removing a commodity previously paid for and given to a customer, after he had directed closure of shops in the village.
‘‘Despite my husband’s pleas to forgive me, James went and lodged complaint with the police over unfounded allegation.
The petty trader recounted ‘‘On Monday, June 20, a detachment of policemen drove into our compound. Armed with guns, wood, iron rod and other dangerous weapons, they descended on me. They grabbed and threw me into their waiting van. As I landed in the van, I hit my lower abdomen and felt excruciating pains.
‘‘The police locked me in an unsanitary and unkempt cell at Police Headquarters, Ikot Akpan Abia for five days. They said I would be released if I pay bail money. All through, my husband had been bringing me food. About 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 20, I felt pain at my lower abdomen. I reported the matter to the IPO. He opened the cell and took me to the Police Clinic. A nurse examined me and said there was no cause for alarm. I was returned to the cell.’’
The mother of four said ‘‘However, by 11 p.m. same day, the pain increased. I never thought I was under labour because it was not time for delivery. I struggled alone to no avail. When the pain increased, I shouted and my cell mates knew I was under labour. They banged the cell gate. I was rolling on the floor after blood and water from the womb gushed out of me. The umbilical cord came followed by placenta and the baby.’’
According to her, ‘‘Shortly, I passed out and went into unconsciousness. By the time the IPO arrived, I had delivered. Before 12 a.m., the baby boy had died because there was no nurse to separate the baby, clean up and gave it warmth. So, the IPO who arrived late took me to the clinic for medical attention. On Friday, June 23, the police in company of others parceled the dead baby and drove me to my compound and hurriedly left.’’
Her expected delivery date is August 21- Doctor
A medical report from General Hospital, Ikot Okoro in Oruk Anam shows that Mercy was a patient in the hospital and her number is Ante-Natal Record Number 102/2022.
The report dated June 28 and signed by Dr. Prince Uwem Etok indicates that Mercy presented as a Gravida 5 Para 4 woman on 06/04/2022 for Ante-Natal care at a gestational age of 20 weeks.
‘‘Her expected Date of Delivery was put at 21/08/2022. She presented on two other occasions (10/5/2022 and 15/06/2022) for ante-natal visits during which time, her pregnancy was observed to be progressing normally.’’
‘‘However, 12 days after her last visit to the Ante-Natal Care Clinic, she presented with complaints of bleeding per vagina after apparently having a miscarriage 5 days before while she was being detained at the Akwa Ibom State Police Headquarters.
‘‘She affirmed that the delivery was preceded abdominal pain that she was ignored when she raised alarm. The baby was delivered pre-term at 31 weeks without medical attention at the detention center and came out stillborn.’’
I want my baby boy- Father
Peter narrated several attempts made to secure his wife’s release, but, according to him, they insisted payment of N3 million bail fund to release her.
The former JB worker indicated, ‘‘when my wife was arrested, I begged the police to release her due to her pregnancy. They refused all entreaties. Even when I raised N100,000 loan to use as bail fund, they still refused to bow to my pleas. On that Thursday night, June 20, someone called me from the station.
‘‘I worked with Julius Berger Nigeria Construction, but I was laid off due to cash crunch. So, I could not raise the money to pay the IPO.
‘‘I told the caller that it was late and that I could not come that night. On Friday morning, I left for Ikot Akpan Abia. On reaching the station, I learned that my wife had been released. Nobody told me anything or that the baby had died.
‘‘When I returned home, I saw and my wife and the dead baby. Let them thank God: If I were at home, none of them would have gone back. At the moment, the dead baby is embalmed at Tiesco Mortuary Home, Ikot Okoro.
‘‘I have three girls and one boy. To me, the baby’s birth would have sealed any hope of her becoming pregnant again. All I need from the police is my baby.’’
Investigate the matter, punish anyone culpable- Lawyer
The lawyer to the petitioner, Clifford Thomas, the National Coordinator, Akwa Ibom Human Rights, alleged that Udeme Ebong arrested and detained his client when she could not pay the N3 million bail fund he demanded from the family.
In a petition dated June 27 and addressed to the Commissioner, Akwa Ibom State Police Command, State Police Headquarters, Ikot Akpan Abia, Uyo, Thomas, a human rights, called on the police to investigate the matter, and bring out anyone culpable in the matter to book; investigate the allegation preferred against his client by Mr. Sunday James, the self-acclaimed but the acting Village Head, who procured the police to carry out the unlawful purpose.
However, he queried, ‘‘Why did the police arrest and incarcerate a pregnant woman and kept her in the most undignified and unsanitary conditions for five days without charging her to court? What roles were played by the O/C, Anti-Vice in making a joint demand for N3 million alongside the IPO (Udeme Ebong), a bail money before the pregnant woman could be released?’’
‘‘The matter should not be end here. Disciplinary action is required, the culprit(s) should be arraigned for causing the death of a new born child; any other action(s) to extricate the police from this illegality and any other action(s) deemed necessary by the police.’’
He sent copies of the petition to the Inspector-General of Police, The Police Service Commission, The National Human Rights Commission, Abuja, the National and International Human Rights Community and the media.
Straightnews gathered that Akwa Ibom State Traditional Rulers Edict No. 15 of 1990 does not recognise, nor vests any instrument of authority with any person purportedly known or called ‘acting’ Village head.
