A pharmacist based in Rumuigbo, Port Harcourt in Rivers State, Lucky Nwidu has accused the Divisional Police Officer of Ozuoba Police Station, Chief Superintendent of Police Ogowoke of illegally arresting, detaining and extorting him.

In a statement by his lawyer, Eugene Odey, that has gone viral, Nwidu narrated how he was nabbed at his pharmacy in the presence of his staff and family and detained for almost a day before being released on bail after he had parted with N20,000.  

The statement is reproduced below.

“MIS-ENFORCEMENT OF RIVERS STATE LOCKDOWN BY THE POLICE…..A SAD VICTIM STORY

Culled from Eugene Odey

The inhuman treatment of Nigerian Police to a Pharmacist as a result of the lockdown in Port Harcourt.

My name is Dr Lucky Legborsi Nwidu, a Pharmacist, a Senior Lecturer in the University of Port Harcourt and Director of Luckpharm Pharmacy at No. 93 Owoloma Road, Rumuigbo.

I was in my house on the 8th of May 2020 preparing to deliver an online lecture when I had an uproar from the Pharmacy adjacent to my house. I heard a call from the nurses, “Sir, Sir, come to our help”. I thought it was an armed robbery attempt. When I got to the pharmacy I saw two armed policemen, a lady in mufti, a policewoman, Mrs. Bukky, dragging the nurse to enter inside the police van from Ozuoba police station stationed in front of the pharmacy. I requested from her what is the problem. Mrs. Bukky, the inspector police lady said the governor authorized a total lockdown and why should we open the Pharmacy?

I introduce myself and let them know that pharmacies and other healthcare staffs are permitted to run essential duties. They said ‘no, the Governor authorized a total lockdown’. I pleaded that you cannot take away my staff, instead arrest me because I permitted them to open the pharmacy to provide essential services in line with the permit from Ministry of Health.

I was arrested and taken away in the Ozuoba police van. A few metres away from the pharmacy, the police accosted a young girl and a boy who said they were coming to the pharmacy to buy drugs because of acute diarrhea and they were arrested. We were taken to the police station at Ozuoba. I insisted to see the DPO, CSP Ogowoke, but Inspector Bukky said she has informed the DPO and he has authorized my detention that I am sabotaging the lockdown.

I became confused as I was undressed and put inside the cell whose dimensions are 12ft by 12ft. After 1 hour, the DPO came to count the number of people in the cells and we were 19 inmates. I pleaded to go in the cell with my face mask but the police denied me. Every 10 to 20 minutes the Police kept bringing in their culprits. By 1pm I pleaded to make call to my family to arrange for my bail. At this time we were 39 inmates. Inspector Bukky, the IPO who arrested and detained me, I had an altercation with her telling her that you  cannot have so many OPM bangles in your hand and be this wicked to arrest someone going to fill a prescription for diarrhea. I told her I am a minister in OPM and I teach in the Sunday School Department and what she is doing is contrary to what the church whose bangles are loaded on your hand preaches. She got infuriated that I am a fake pastor of OPM she will deal with me.

After she has dealt with me till 1pm and I was inside cell helpless. I called her and pleaded with her to allow me make a call for someone to come and bail me. She brought me out of the cell, gave me my phone and I called my family to meet my Barrister to come and bail me. When my lawyer came and introduced himself, Inspector Bukky was so infuriated at me why do I have to call my lawyer and not my wife.

My lawyer brought the permit from Ministry of Health authorizing healthcare personnel to run essential services. He was rebuffed by the DPO and the IPO, Bukky. He was told to bring #100,000.00 if not the police will send me to quarantine centre. From about 2pm that my lawyer came and after much pleading the IPO collected #20,000 and released me from detention.

Over 20 years ago I swore to the  Pharmacy oath to be a faithful Pharmacist who will provide pharmaceutical services to my community, the major reason for which the police because of greed arrested me from home for over seven and half hour without food and water.  Nigerian is this fair to me and my profession, Pharmacy?

The police have to return the money paid to them by my lawyer and tender apologies to the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria and the Nigerian Bar Association for this ill-treatment. All the officers and DPO who meted out this unlawful detention to me need to be sanctioned. Make this post viral until the Inspector General of Police is reached.

Dr Nwidu

Director, Luckpharm Pharmacy.