Four policemen attached to Lagos State Police Command have been arrested for allegedly extorting the sum of 350,000 CFA from a Nigerian based in Togo.
The victim identified as Theodore Ifunanya was said to be on his way to Nigeria for the Christmas and New Year celebration when he was accosted by the policemen at Gbaji area on the Mile 2 – Badagry expressway on December 17, 2018.
The state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Chike Oti, who confirmed the incident said the officers, namely, Inspector Amiete, Sergeant Gbemunu Samuel, Sergeant Afolabi Oluwaseun and Corporal Adigun Omotayo had arrested one Theodore Ifunanya on the suspicion of armed robbery on December 17, 2018 and in the course of investigation, recovered the sum of 350,000 Cefas from him.
Oti said the policemen are undergoing trial for alleged corrupt practice at the instance of the state police boss, Imohimi Edgal.
Oti said the CP also directed that the Divisional Police Officer, Ijanikin, CSP Eugene be queried.
“The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, CP Imohimi Edgal, has ordered the arrest and trial of four policemen attached to the Ijanikin Division for an alleged corrupt practice and shoddy investigation. After the investigation, the said Ifunanya Theodore was exonerated from the allegation,” he said.
Oti said it was however, painful to note that when the victim request for the release of his money, he was not attended to.
He then called the Area Commander in charge of Area K Morogbo, ACP Hope Okafor, who directed that his money be released to him without delay.
“Meanwhile, the CP was briefed that the aforementioned police operatives were not at their professional best while handling the case.
“Consequently, he directed the head of the Command’s Provost section to arrest, investigate and try the officers involved in orderly room and if found guilty, appropriate punishment will be meted to them.
“In the same token, the CP has directed that the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Ijanikin division be issued a query and if his response is not acceptable, his conduct will be sent to the Inspector General of Police for necessary action,” he said.
