HURPA Demands Murder Charge Against ASP Usman Over Mene Ogidi Killing

HURPA Demands Murder Charge Against ASP Usman Over Mene Ogidi Killing

  • Metro
  • May 1, 2026
  • 0 Comments
Effurun, Delta State — The Human Rights Pathfinders Association (HURPA) has called on the authorities of the Nigeria Police Force to immediately charge ASP Usman with murder following the fatal shooting of Mr. Mene Ogidi in Effurun.

In a strongly worded statement issued on Wednesday, the group insisted that disciplinary measures such as dismissal from service are not sufficient in a case involving the loss of human life, stressing that justice must be pursued through the courts.

According to HURPA, “If a civilian commits murder, the law takes its course. The same standard must apply to police officers. Discipline and dismissal are not enough. ASP Usman must be charged to court for murder.”
The group decried what it described as a long-standing pattern of impunity within law enforcement, where officers implicated in fatal incidents are often dismissed internally without facing criminal prosecution.

HURPA emphasized that the rule of law must be applied equally, regardless of status or uniform, warning that failure to prosecute the officer could further erode public trust in the justice system.

“No one is above the law. The uniform does not confer immunity from prosecution,” the statement read.
The association also paid tribute to the deceased, highlighting the human cost of the incident.

“Mene Ogidi had a name. He had a family. He had a future. His life cannot be reduced to a statistic or an internal police matter,” HURPA stated.

The group warned that silence or inaction in the face of such incidents could normalize extrajudicial killings and place more citizens at risk.

“Today it is Mene Ogidi; tomorrow it could be any one of us. We will not stop speaking out until justice is served,” the statement added.

The call by HURPA comes amid heightened public concern and outrage over the circumstances surrounding the shooting, which reportedly occurred on April 26, 2026, in Effurun.

The Nigeria Police Force had earlier confirmed that disciplinary actions had been initiated following directives from the Inspector-General of Police. However, rights groups and civil society organizations continue to demand that the case be transferred to the courts for proper legal proceedings.

As of the time of filing this report, police authorities have not announced any formal criminal charges against ASP Usman.
Observers say the next steps taken by the authorities will be critical in determining public confidence in the justice system and the broader fight against police misconduct in Nigeria.