Coroner Inquest,Two policemen served with bench warrant. By Patience Ogbo Two policemen risk immediate arrest following the decision of an Ikeja District Coroner, Tajudeen Elias who had on Wednesday issued a bench warrant against the policemen constant refusal to appear in court. Magistrate Elias is conducting a coroner inquest into the death of Abiodun Ademola, who was allegedly shot dead at Agege area of Lagos state during the January subsidy protests in Lagos. Ademola was allegedly shot dead on January 9 by the Divisional Police Officer of the Pen Cinema police station Segun Fabunmi, during the nationwide fuel subsidy removal protests. Ademola's death provoked public outcry and following his death, Access to Justice ,a non for profit justice reform organisation approached the Coroner's Court over the police alleged murder . The bench warrants against Rexman Ihekweazu, an assistant superintendent of police, and Athanasius Ohaire, an Inspector, according to Elias is necessary following the policemen alleged blantant refusal to appear before the coroner as key witnesses in the alleged murder case. Elias said “A bench warrant is hereby issued against these two police officers and the Lagos State Commissioner of Police is ordered to ensure that they attend the court sitting at the next adjourned date.” During proceedings on Wednesday, the police lawyer, Cyril Ejiofor,an Assistant Supretendent of police said he had made spirited efforts to get the two policemen to appear in court to no avail. He said, “I have called these two officers on the telephone, sent signals and even taken summons to them yet they refused to come to court. “There is this notion that policemen cannot be arrested by their colleagues. I want this court to make an order compelling the Commissioner of Police to do everything possible to ensure their presence in court or preferably issue a bench warrant against them.” Chinelo Chinweze,a lawyer to Access to Justice, who instituted the inquest, said she had no objection against the application for a bench warrant. “I have no objection with the application made by the police counsel. In fact, I express commendation for the bold step taken by him in this matter,” she said. Elias subsequently adjourned the next hearing on the case till November 14.