IGP sacks three policemen over illegal arrest, extortion

Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, has sacked three policemen attached to Area ‘N’ Command Ijede-Ikorodu under the Lagos State Command, over illegal arrest and extortion.  

The three policemen are: Inspector. Okelue Nkemeonye (AP.No 136005), Sergeant Braimoh Sunday (F/No. 355897) and Sergeant Yusuf Olukoga (F/No. 359928).

Vanguard gathered that on June 21, 2017, the Public Complaint Rapid Response Unit (PCRRU) received a complaint against the trio and its investigation team was dispatched to Ikorodu where the three policemen, including ASP Bayo Obadia (AP No. 98199) who led the team, were apprehended.

Inspr. Nkemeonye, Sgt. Sunday and Sgt. Olukoga were said to have paraded themselves as operatives of Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), despite not being posted to SARS by police authorities, and extorted N200,000 from some men they tagged “Yahoo Yahoo Boys”.

According to the PCRRU investigation team, the money was taken from the men via N90,000 ATM withdrawal and N110,000 mobile bank money transfer to a third party account provided by the policemen.

“All the extorted N200,000 was recovered by the PCRRU Investigators. All the arrested officers, witnesses and recovered exhibits including the N200,000 cash and printed bank statement of account were handed over to the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 2 Lagos for further detailed investigation and necessary disciplinary measures,” PCRRU Investigators added.

An Orderly Room trial at the Zone Two Command Headquarters, Onikan-Yaba of the state, found the three policemen guilty on two charges of offence against discipline, as provided for in paragraphs C (ii) Corrupt Practices and E (iii) Discreditable Conduct of the First Schedule of Police Act and Regulations Cap. P19. Law of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

Approving dismissal of the trio, the IGP commended the complainant for coming forward to report the incident to PCRRU and said that all allegations of professional misconduct reported against any police officer would be treated in line with relevant laws and in keeping to the “Change Begins With Me" campaign of the Federal Government.

He urged members of the public to report cases of police misconduct to the PCRRU for resolution as his administration is bent on ensuring a more public friendly and corrupt free police force in Nigeria.