If the officers involved are found wanting in any way, appropriate disciplinary measures will be applied to serve as an effective deterrent to others
The Lagos State Police Command has taken swift action to address allegations of misconduct against the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of the Elemoro Division. A five-man committee has been set up to investigate the DPO’s alleged attempt to jail two innocent mechanics.
The probe follows a publication in Vanguard newspaper detailing the alleged misconduct.
According to the publication, a lawyer accused the DPO of unlawfully detaining his mechanics and seizing his car. The lawyer claimed that he had given his car to his mechanics for a test drive when officers from the Elemoro Police Division apprehended them, suspecting the car to be stolen.
Despite the lawyer’s identification and explanation, the DPO charged the mechanics to court for allegedly possessing a stolen vehicle. The magistrate dismissed the charges, freeing the mechanics, but the DPO allegedly refused to release the car without a formal court order.
The Lagos State Police Command has set up a committee to investigate the allegations. The committee is headed by a Deputy Commissioner of Police from the State Criminal Investigation Department and includes the Officer-in-Charge of Legal at the Command. The committee is expected to submit its findings within a week.
To ensure a thorough and unhindered investigation, the DPO and other officers involved have been transferred out of the Elemoro Division. This move is aimed at preventing any potential interference with the investigation.
The Commissioner of Police, Owohunwa Olatunji, emphasized that the command does not support any form of inhuman treatment or miscarriage of justice.
The investigation aims to determine the facts and ensure justice is served. If the allegations are found to be true, appropriate action will be taken against the DPO and other officers involved.
The investigation will determine the facts and ensure that those responsible are held accountable.
“If the officers involved are found wanting in any way, appropriate disciplinary measures will be applied to serve as an effective deterrent to others.
“We implore members of the public to trust the police and be assured that any wrongdoing proven against an officer will certainly be redressed.