The Lagos State Acting Commissioner of Police,
Edgal Imohimi, has removed the Officer-in-Charge of the Anti-Kidnapping and
Anti-Cultism Squad, State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department,
CSP Akinade Adejobi.
Imohimi, in a statement issued on Monday by the
state Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Olarinde Famous-Cole, said Adejobi
should report to the command headquarters in Ikeja, Lagos State.
Adejobi and his men at the Anti-Kidnapping and
Anti-Cultism Squad on Hogan Bassey Crescent, Surulere, were alleged to have
taken N50,000 before granting bail to one Blessing Taiwo, who was arrested for
alleged theft.
The cops were also alleged to have seized the victim’s phone pending when a
balance of N20,000 would be paid on Tuesday (today).
Blessing’s sister, Florence, had alleged that she
(Florence) was sexually harassed by the policemen, who touched her private
parts and breasts anytime she took food to her sister in the cell.
She had said one of the policemen had also been
pestering her with telephone calls, asking for a date.
Our correspondent had reported that the matter
started after Blessing’s boss, Mrs. Abiola Osagie, accused her of stealing
$50,000 kept in their office in Ikoyi.
Osagie had said she was away on a trip and had
returned to discover that the money was missing.
The matter was reported at the Ikoyi Police
Division from where it was transferred to the SCIID, Yaba. It was later
referred to the Anti-Kidnapping and Anti-Cultism Squad in Surulere.
PUNCH Metro reported that Adejobi
refused to grant the suspect bail after she was detained on Wednesday.
However, when the mother of two was eventually
released on Saturday, the sum of N50,000 was paid by the family amidst
allegations of sexual harassment of her sister, Florence.
Famous-Cole said the CP had removed the OC to
ensure that adequate investigation was conducted into the case.
He said, “The new Commissioner of Police has
requested that all parties involved should come for an interview at the police
command on September 5, 2017, at 9am, including the alleged victim.
“The CP has also directed the Deputy Commissioner
of Police, SCIID, Panti, to commence a discreet and in-depth 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, (and his return) 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 inactions, in regard with
this matter, will face the full weight of police regulations.
“The era of slap on the wrist of policemen, whose
behaviour tarnish the force, is over. The new CP has zero tolerance for any
form of indiscipline and corruption.”
The National Coordinator, Network on Police
Reform in Nigeria, Okechukwu Nwanguma, commended the police for Adejobi’s
removal.
Nwanguma urged the CP to ensure that the money
was refunded, while a public apology should be tendered.
He said, “Public trust, confidence and support
are inevitable preconditions for effective policing. The CP has started to lead
by example and NOPRIN urges him to remain steadfast in promoting
professionalism and respect for human rights in police conduct and operations.
“It is our expectation that the ongoing police
investigation into the allegations will lead to the recovery of the N50,000
extorted from Blessing for bail, release of her phone seized by the OC pending
when she brings the balance of the total amount demanded for her bail.
We
also call for appropriate legal remedies to the victims (Blessing, and her
younger sister, Florence) for the violation of their fundamental rights,
including a public apology, as well as appropriate sanctions for all the police
officers responsible, as a deterrent to others.”
Meanwhile, Nigerians have called on Imohimi to
overhaul the police system in the state, saying bribery had become second
nature to the Force.
On PUNCH Online, many readers called for
a thorough investigation of all the parties involved in the case.
A reader with the name, Netanyahu, wondered how a
case of stealing ended up with the anti-kidnap team.
He said, “With this type of police, you will be
wasting time claiming you are fighting corruption. Stealing of public
money by politically exposed persons is not the real definition of corruption.
A society that allows the type of police system we have is doomed. Policemen
who brazenly extort money from motorists on the highways without qualms are fit
for the animal farm. Tell me how money suspected to have been stolen from an
office became a kidnapping offence or a cult-related case. Nigeria is
irredeemably a wasteland.”
Another reader, Laddeck, said, “The Lagos State
Police Command is the most corrupt in the country. I don’t know why. May be it
is because of the huge economy and money in circulation in Lagos. The SCIID,
Panti, should have been disbanded a long time ago. They are most notorious for
their human rights violation….right from the top to the least policeman
there.
If your case is transferred to Panti…just know you are in trouble;
whether you are guilty or innocent. I won’t be surprised if the policemen smoke
weed occasionally there. I dislike Nigerian policemen with passion. I’ve never
seen one of them that I admire and respect. It’s like an evil spirit descends
on them whenever they wear uniforms.”
One Deji F., who commended the CP for the removal
of the OC, wondered where Adejobi would be posted to.
He said, “The CP’s move is a good step in the
right direction, but where the OC will be moved to is another big question.
As
I type this post, I can authoritatively and confidently tell everyone that in
this broad daylight, police officers are at Iyana Iba, en route from Igando
immediately after LASU gate, collecting bribes from motorists. What a nation,
where is patriotism?”
Punch Report
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