Four cops dismissed for extorting N7m from cleric

Four policemen attached to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in the Lagos State Command have been dismissed for alleged professional misconduct, corrupt practices and discreditable conduct.

The names of the dismissed officers were given as Adeoye Adekunle, Adeniran Adebowale, Agbi Lucky and Odighe Hehosa. It was gathered that the men were charged to court on offences of armed robbery, kidnapping, unlawful detention, intimidation and threatening violence against one Mr Chukwudi Odionye, aka Bishop.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Zone 2 Police Command, CSP Dolapo Badmus, in a statement said the command received a petition by Odionye against the four officers.
Odionye, in the petition, was said to have alleged that on June 4, 2017, he was in his house in the Alagbado area of Lagos when the four armed officers allegedly stormed his house to arrest him on the allegation of performing fake miracles.

“He stated that after his arrest, he was taken to one hotel in Agege where he was detained and threatened to be killed if he failed to cooperate. He explained further that on the following day, June 5, 2017, he was taken to a bank where he was made to transfer N7m to one of the policemen’s account,” the statement read in part.

On the receipt of the petition, the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 2 Command, AIG Adamu Ibrahim, reportedly ordered investigation into the allegation.

 Investigation was said to have revealed that proper police procedure for investigation was not followed in Odionye’s arrest and that the four SARS operatives therefore abducted the man from his house and unlawfully detained him for personal gain.

The AIG upheld the recommendation of police disciplinary body that recommended the dismissal of the four policemen after they were found guilty during an orderly room trial for professional misconduct, corrupt practices and discreditable conduct.

“The officers were subsequently charged to court on criminal charges of armed robbery, kidnapping, unlawful detention, stealing, intimidation and threatening violence,” the statement said.Badmus said the AIG had warned that the force would not tolerate any act of misconduct that undermined the value of international best practices of policing, noting  that any policeman found guilty would not be spared.

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