Coroner summons Civil Defence officials over woman’s death

The District Coroner in Yaba, Lagos, Mrs A. Ipaye-Nwachukwu has summoned two senior officials of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to explain the circumstances surrounding the death of a trader, Mrs Angelina Dansu.
The summons is in line with Section 32 (1) of the Coroners’ System Law of Lagos State, 2007.
The coroner warned that should NSCDC fail to attend or produce the officers or any documents which would assist her in delivering a verdict, they would be liable to sanctions.

Those summonsed are NSCDC Commandant, Zone A, Lagos Island, Mr Donatus Ikemefuna and Mr Lugard Osaro Osemwegie, also of Zone A.
They are expected to give evidence as well as produce the officer who allegedly shot Mrs Dansu on May 7.
“In addition, you are to produce document(s) and/or investigation report(s) conducted by your office in respect of the death of the deceased,” the District Coroner ordered.
The inquest was initiated by a human rights group, the Access to Justice (AJ), on behalf of the Dansu family. It wrote the District Coroner on June 17, requesting an investigation.
According to AJ, the late Mrs Dansu was allegedly shot and killed by an NSCDC official attached to Zone A, Lagos Command at Saponkoji Village, an island in Apapa Local Government Area.
The group said eye witnesses claimed the officials stormed the deceased’s shop and attempted to cart away her goods (kerosene). They were said to have beaten up the woman for daring to resist them.
She was reportedly molested and her clothes torn. As she struggled to escape, one of the NSCDC men allegedly shot at her. She died on the spot.
It was alleged that the NSCDC officials were randomly carting away traders’ wares. When Mrs Dansu resisted, she was physically abused and eventually shot. Effort by onlookers to save her life failed.
AJ said the inquest would determine the certification of the death of the deceased as alleged; the culpable officers; the true circumstances of the alleged killing; and any other facts that could help prevent a recurrence of such incidents in future.
The group also requested that summons be issued on the Officer-in-Charge (OC) Legal, Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, Yaba; all other officers present at the scene of the crime on the date it occurred; and Dr N. Alao Nassifou of the Emergency Unit of Clinique Mutualiste De Cotonou.
“We also request that the order should require that the proposed invitees produce all documentary statements (if any) made by the culprit officers as well as the death certificate and autopsy report,” AJ wrote.
When the inquest came up before the District Coroner at the Yaba Magistrate’s Court, Sabo area, at the weekend, no NSCDC official attended.
AJ’s lawyer Mr Onyeka Omofia said the corps was informed about the inquest. He, therefore, sought an adjournment.
NSCDC had acknowledged the summons, a copy of which our correspondent obtained. It was signed by one of its officials, who wrote: “Original received by me NSCDC Zone A Alagbe Segun A. (IC), 18-08-2014.”
Mrs Ipaye-Nwachukwu adjourned till October 3 for resumption of proceedings.