The Advocates for Children and Vulnerable Persons Network (ACVPN) has provided an update on an alleged case of physical assault occasioning bodily harm involving a Lagos resident, Jennifer Ilechukwu, raising concerns about the handling of the matter by law enforcement authorities.
According to the advocacy group, its representatives reached out to the victim shortly after the incident was reported and gathered details about the progress of the case.
Jennifer reportedly told the organisation that she had submitted a petition to the office of the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) at the Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (FCIID) Annex, Alagbon, Ikoyi, regarding the alleged assault.
The suspect in the case, identified as Juliet, was invited by the AIG’s office but had yet to respond to the invitation at the time of filing this report, according to ACVPN.
The victim also alleged that an Investigating Police Officer (IPO) identified as Femi Francis attached to Area E Command initially demanded ₦500,000 from her for the tracking, arrest and prosecution of the suspect.
Jennifer said the amount was later negotiated down to ₦409,000, which she claimed to have transferred to an account provided by the officer. She added that she has proof of the transaction.
According to her account, the officer informed her that the owner of the studio where the suspect works had also contributed funds towards the tracking of the alleged perpetrator.
Jennifer further explained that she was later contacted to appear at Area E Command after the suspect showed up with her lawyer. However, she said she was outside Lagos at the time and was surprised that the suspect was not arrested.
Police officers at the command reportedly told her that the suspect could not be arrested in her absence, as the complainant needed to be present.
She said she subsequently returned to Lagos and was asked to present medical bills from the injuries she allegedly sustained so the suspect could cover the costs. However, she claimed that communication from the IPO ceased afterwards.
The victim later received a call from Zone 2 Police Command, informing her that the alleged attacker had filed a counter-petition accusing her of attempted murder, threat to life and breach of peace, and inviting her for questioning.
Jennifer said her lawyer advised her not to honour the invitation at the time, warning that the case might be turned against her.
She added that she later submitted another petition at the FCIID Annex in Alagbon, stating that the suspect had yet to respond to the invitation from that office.
ACVPN said it has obtained a screenshot showing the alleged transfer of ₦409,000 to the account reportedly provided by the IPO, whose phone number was also included in the complaint.
The advocacy organisation noted that further updates would be provided as developments unfold. #Securitynewsalert.com
