…Lawyer asks CP to investigate Igbogbo Police Division
Juliana Francis
A lawyer, Bayo Akinlade Esq, who is also Convener, Duty Solicitors Network, has accused a policeman, Olufemi, attached to Igbogbo Police Station in Ikorodu, Lagos State, of asking his client to pay the sum of N100,000 as bail money.
This alleged demand is coming up while many Nigerians are frantically searching for as much as N25,000 to be able to survive amidst escalating tension across Nigeria caused by naira scarcity.
This case has naturally caused many human rights activists to express anger over what is perceived as the inhumanity of the police officer.
In a petition to the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Idowu Owohunwa, Akinlade alleged that Officer Olufemi , who is the Investigating Police Officer (IPO), in a case he was handling, refused to grant his client bail if he did not cough up the sum of N100,000.
The lawyer explained that Officer Olufemi on Thursday, 16th of February 2023, was assigned to investigate a complaint against one Mr. Adegboyega Tokunbo, a retired banker.
Upon collecting the written statement of Tokunbo, which was taken in the absence of his legal Counsel, and after parties to the conflict had resolved their issues amicably.
The lawyer said: “I requested that Officer Olufemi release Mr. Adegboyega Tokunbo or grant him bail. Officer Olufemi; in response to my request for bail, categorically told me at around 5.30pm on the 16th of February 2023 at the Igbogbo police station that he will not take the sureties presented to him and further stated that “Bail is not free.” Upon hearing this, I cautioned him because he had said this to the hearing of others present.
“However; Officer Olufemi refused to change his position on the issue of collecting money for bail as he, Officer Olufemi, had previously demanded N100,000.00 from Mr. Adegboyega Tokunbo’s tenant who was ready to stand as surety.
“I therefore; respectfully request that Officer Olufemi be investigated and dismissed from the Police Force for his statements about bail not being free and attempting to extort money from Mr. Adegboyega Tokunbo. I would also recommend an extensive investigation as to the activities of Igbogbo Police Station as a whole regarding Bail administration.”
