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.
Recall 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.
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?”
Culled: Punch
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.
Recall 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.
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?”
Culled: Punch
Read more https://nairalaw.com/n50000-bail-lagos-cp-kicks-out-oc-anti-kidnapping-invites-victim/