A/HRC/7/3/Add.4 page 14 Other avenues to complain are out of reach to the vast majority of detainees: they cannot afford lawyers and have no practical means of communicating allegations to family, NGOs, or others (i.e. by telephone, visits, etc.). The 2006 NHRC annual report states, “The Commission has a viable and effective complaints mechanism for treating complaints of allegations of human rights violation.” The Special Rapporteur notes that he received more credible complaints of ill-treatment during any one of his visits to CIDs than NHRC throughout the country in one year.9 42. The Special Rapporteur notes with concern the climate of fear and mistrust of police prevalent in many of the places visited, and particularly at CIDs. A significant number of detainees declined to speak with the Rapporteur due to the fear of retaliations by the authorities, or only did so under the condition of anonymity. Detainees have the feeling of being left completely at the mercy of the officers and live under the constant fear of violent reprisals for any complaints, behavioural infractions, acts of non-compliance, or otherwise without provocation. Despite knowing that police abuse is wrong, victims feel powerless and are resigned to accept that impunity is the natural order of things when it comes to Nigerian law enforcement. 43. Attempts to register complaints may be met with intimidation, or investigations lack independence as they may be conducted by the police themselves or dealt with internally. Forensic medical examinations which could sustain complaints are non-existent, even in cases of death in police custody. No information was provided by the Government on evidence of successful criminal prosecutions of perpetrators of torture, or payment of compensation to victims, or statistics on disciplinary sanctions meted out to officers. A first-hand account 44. The Special Rapporteur met at least three detainees with life-threatening gunshot wounds that would die without prompt medical attention (Mr. Elijah John, Mr. Bayo Abdurmo Adekunk, both of whom were interviewed at CID Panti, Lagos, on 6 March 2007; and Mr. Mohammed “Mame” Bello, who was interviewed at CID Gwagwade, Kaduna, on 8 March. See appendix I for further details). By telephone on 10 March, the Special Rapporteur made a direct plea to Mr. Sunday Ehindero, the Inspector General of Police, for urgent medical treatment, and assurances were received in this regard (in addition, follow-up letters were sent on 6 and 27 April). Appeals for assistance were also sent to the Controller General of Prisons, the Minister of Justice/Attorney General. 45. On 3 April 2007, a visit by United Nations officials found the torture room at CID Panti emptied. According to the officers in charge, Mr. John and Mr. Abdurmo Adekunk were brought to court shortly after the Special Rapporteur’s visit. The District Court Chief Prosecutor, Magistrate Court Yaba, indicated that Mr. Abdurmo Adekunk (case file C 26/07) was sentenced for armed robbery and imprisoned at Ikoyi Island Prison, Lagos. However, upon inquiries by the Lagos Prison Controller, the Head of Ikoyi Prison reported that Mr. Abdurmo Adekunk did not 9 Respectively, for the years 2005 and 2006, 42 and 24 complaints of degrading treatment by law enforcement agencies were received by NHRC (see 2005 and 2006 NHRC annual reports).