The Lagos state commissioner of Police, Edgal Imohimi, has ordered an investigation into the allegation of bribery and corruption leveled against the Officer- in- Charge (OC), Anti-Kidnapping Squad, Lagos State Police Command, Mr. Adejobi and other officers under him. The Network on Police Reform in Nigeria (NOPRIN), a network of 49 civil society organizations, had petitioned the command over the unlawful detention of one Blessing and the demand for bribe of N70,000 to secure her release.
According to the petition, Blessing, a single mother of two, was accused by her employer, Abiola Ojo Osagie, of stealing $50,000 on August 29th. Mrs Osagie called the police who arrested Blessing. The petition in part reads
“That Mrs. Abiola Osagie claimed that she left the $50,000 in a bag in her office and travelled for three weeks. That when Mrs. Abiola Osagie returned, she didn’t check the bag for some days and when she eventually checked, she discovered that the money was gone and she immediately accused Blessing because she had a key to the office and was in charge of delegating people to sweep that office. That Mrs. Abiola Osagie reported the matter at Ikoyi Police Station and Blessing was arrested on August 29. That after investigation, which included a search on Blessing’s home and a check on her bank account, the DPO advised that Blessing should be allowed to go. That not satisfied with the DPO’s investigation and advice, Osagie allegedly asked the DPO to ‘make Blessing confess’ to the crime, but the DPO made it clear to her that torture is not part of investigation in his station. That Osagie then took the matter to the Anti-Kidnapping and Cultism Unit of the Lagos State Police Command under the charge of Mr. Adejobi with one Igbin as IPO. That the OC Anti-Kidnapping Section ordered that Blessing be locked up among suspected cultists and kidnappers. That Blessing spent most of her hours in the cell crying, with her children left in the care of neighbours. That the OC Anti-Kidnapping Unit stated that Blessing was culpable and refused entreaties to grant her bail or charge her to court. That the OC persistently ignored requests and pleas from Blessing’s relatives as well as interventions by journalists and other concerned individuals, to grant Blessing bail or charge her to court. That not even a request by one of Blessing’s father’s friends and colleagues, a retired SSS operative could persuade the OC, Anti-Kidnapping Squad, to grant her bail or charge her to court.”
According to the petition, on September 1st, the OC told Blessing’s family that she would be granted bail if they can provide two people with valid passports, N2 million in bank account, and property that has Change of Ownership (C of O). The policemen also allegedly asked N70,000 as part of the conditions for bail. Blessing’s sister, Folake, was however able to raise only N50,000 and when she presented it to the police officers, they allegedly refused to collect it, insisting that the money must be complete.
The petition also alleged that after much pleading, the OC eventually ‘granted Blessing bail’, but held unto her mobile phone which will be released on September 5, if she comes with the balance of N20, 000.
Reacting to the allegation, the commissioner in a statement released by the state police public relations officer, Olarinde Famous-Cole today, called on all parties to come to the command's headquarters in Ikeja for an interview and further investigation. In the meantime, the accused OC has been removed from office. Read the statement from Famous-Cole below
"The attention of the Lagos state police command has been drawn to the media publication making the rounds on social media about an ongoing police investigation alleging the O/C Anti-Kidnapping and cultism unit of corrupt practice.
The New commissioner of police has requested that all parties involved are to come for an interview at the police command tomorrow 5th September 2017 at 09:00am, including the alleged victim in the publication.
The New CP has also directed that the DC Panti commence a discreet and indept investigation into the allegation of the police action.
To ensure an impartial investigation the CP has ordered the immediate removal of the O/C Anti-Kidnapping CSP Adejobi back to the command.
The Ag/CP Edgal Imohimi is worried about this allegation and wants justice to be done.
The new CP is reassuring Lagosians that every officer found indicted by their actions or inaction in regards this matter will face the full weight of the police regulations.
The era of slap on the wrist of police men whose behaviour tarnish the force is over. The new CP has a zero tolerance of every form and any form of indiscipline and corruption"
