Despite this lawful assignment, ASP David Ameh Agbo and his team reportedly arrested him unlawfully, detained him for 17 days, and released him only after collecting a N1.5 million bribe.

Sterling Law Centre has petitioned the Police Service Commission (PSC), demanding urgent action against three officers of the Nigeria Police Force’s Intelligence Response Team (IGP-IRT) over their alleged role in the abduction, unlawful detention, extortion, extrajudicial killing, and subsequent cover-up of Mr. Dumsira Edward Leera.

In 2019, the Kana Local Government Chairman in Rivers State officially engaged Mr. Leera to mediate peace between warring cult groups.

Despite this lawful assignment, ASP David Ameh Agbo and his team reportedly arrested him unlawfully, detained him for 17 days, and released him only after collecting a N1.5 million bribe.

When he refused to pay a further N3 million, he was re-arrested in November 2019.

During his detention, unauthorised withdrawals were made from his bank account, and ASP Agbo was reportedly seen driving his vehicle.

A court ordered his release, but police ignored it. It was not until 2021, during the National Human Rights Commission’s (NHRC) post-#EndSARS panel sittings, that the family was informed he had died in custody during an unexplained operation.

“This is a deeply disturbing case that calls into question the accountability mechanisms within the police,” said Deji Ajare, Principal Counsel at Sterling Law Centre. “We urge the Police Service Commission to act without further delay.”

The Centre’s petition urges the PSC to prosecute and dismiss ASP David Ameh Agbo, SP Martins Samuel, and DSP Essien E. Edet.

It also calls for the return of the deceased’s vehicle to his family and the enforcement of all NHRC panel recommendations, including the N10 million awarded to Leera’s widow.