Lagos Police Query DPO, Arrest Officers Caught on Camera Assaulting a Lawyer

Matilda Omonaiye/

 

Policemen caught on cameras assaulting a lawyer in Lagos have been arrested, say the authorities.

 

According to a statement by the state police spokesman, CSP Chike Oti, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in the area has received a query for lack of supervision and his men are being tried on oath because they were not at their professional best.

 

The statement reads: “The police officers seen in a video assaulting a young lawyer said to be demanding for his salary and posted on the Instagram by OAKTVOnline with the caption “SARS officers assault young lawyer allegedly demanding for his salary in Lagos,” had caught the attention of the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, CP Edgal Imohimi who constituted an investigation panel to look into the allegation.

 

“Findings into the case revealed that the officers in the video are not SARS operatives as alleged but conventional policemen attached to Lion Building Police Station who were invited to the chambers of Olawore & Co of No 28/30 Macarty Street, Lagos Island by the managing partner, Barrister Oluyomi Olawore.

 

“The said Barrister Oluyomi Olawore sent a distress call to the police through one of his junior partners, requesting that he be rescued from another junior partner by name Barrister Olakunle Kareem whom he alleged was about to use an unlawful force on him having disconnected the Firms’ CCTV cameras and locked up all doors leading into the firm and by so doing, held Barrister Olawore hostage inside his office.

 

“It was based on the complaint that the DPO in charge of Lion Building dispatched policemen to the troubled chamber to bring the feuding lawyers over for interrogation. However, the Commissioner of Police, observed with dismay that the policemen sent to the scene were not at their professional best.

 

“He has therefore ordered that the policemen who had been arrested, be tried on oath. They risk stiff punishments for their actions. The CP also directed that Divisional Police Officer in charge of Lion Building be queried for lack of supervision.

 

“Meanwhile, the Deputy Commissioner of Police, SCIID Panti Yaba has been directed to take over the investigation of the case and critically look into the matter concerning the two lawyers with the view to diligently prosecute both or any one of them found wanting.

 

“The CP advises employers/employees to learn how to settle internal squabbles amicably without resorting to self-help.”

 

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