Suspect told friend of 'water torture' tactics

Fresh details have emerged of the suspects allegedly subjected to "water torture" by police officers.

Nigerian Nnanyere David Nwankwo, 24, told friends he was kicked and attacked by officers in a raid at his Tottenham home.

Scotland Yard officers are claimed to have held his head inside a lavatory and repeatedly flushed it.

A second man, Ajah Mpakaboari, 33, was left bleeding after he was also allegedly assaulted during a search by Enfield police officers last November.

Six police officers face being interviewed as criminal suspects over claims they tortured the alleged criminals, falsified evidence and stole property.

A third Nigerian connected to the address, Bernasko Adji, 36, was charged with assaulting a constable during the Brantwood Road raid.

Officers also arrested Victoria Seabrook, 24, and her boyfriend Nicholas Oforka, 25, at another property in Hertford Road, Enfield, in connection with the drugs raids.

Speaking through her solicitor, Ms Seabrook said that although she and her partner were not hurt, her friends were injured in the other raid in which police claimed two sacks of cannabis were found.

Solicitor Shenel Johnson, of SJ Law in Walthamstow, said: "Nnanyere Nwankwo, who she knew as David, told her that, after the arrest, police were kicking him and put his head down a toilet and repeatedly flushed it.

"He also had a cut on his hand when he got to custody. She also heard that Ajah Mpakaboari had blood on his clothing when he got to the police station."

Ms Johnson said her client, who was pregnant at the time of her arrest, was forced to dress in front of three male police officers and was not allowed to use the lavatory.

She said a pair of sunglasses and an electric hand-held fan also went missing during the police operation.

Charges against the five were dropped after prosecutors said it could prejudice the criminal investigation into the actions of the officers.

An Independent Police Complaints Commission inquiry is under way into a series of allegations, including a claim some of the men were subjected to water torture during questioning at the Tottenham property.

The claims emerged during an anti-corruption inquiry into officers based at Edmonton police station in Enfield.

All the officers, who include a detective sergeant, could face prosecution if there is enough evidence against them, and ultimately the sack.

Suspicions arose over the behaviour of the officers shortly after the raids.

An inquiry was launched by members of the Directorate of Professional Standards into allegations that the suspects' property was mishandled.

In February, Scotland Yard said nine officers from the Enfield crime squad had been suspended and two placed on restricted duties, effectively shutting it down.

But the scope of the probe widened when new information alleging that the suspects were tortured came to light.

Because of the seriousness of the case, files were passed to IPCC officials in April.