Police Corruption, Extortion: Man Dies In Custody Over Inability To Pay N20, 000 Bail Demand

…Rights group Talakawa Parliament petitions Edo Police Commissioner

… Family demands justice

BY MIKE OSAROGIAGBON

Benin City – Edo State Police Command has again been enmeshed in allegation of corruption, extortion and human rights violation resulting in deaths, as a middle-aged man died in its custody, last week.

The victim’s death, Alltimepost.com gathered, allegedly followed the inability of his family to raise N20, 000 demanded for his bail by some operatives of Ekpoma Police Divisional Headquarters, under the command.

The victim, identified as Mr. Osifo Okoeguale of Eguare Opoji, Ekpoma was arrested and detained at the police station along with his cousin, one Femi Richard,14, for allegedly stealing unregistered motorcycle belonging to one Omo Benard who also reside in Ekpoma, the administrative headquarters of Esan West local government area of Edo State.

It was gathered that the arrest of the deceased was effected on Sunday February 10, 2019 as his sister, one Mrs. Omofonman who was at the station to facilitate his bail was asked to pay N20, 000 by the Investigating Police Officer (IPO), a female police.

Narrating her ordeal, the deceased sister alleged that the female police officer collected N15, 000 from and asked her to get the balance N5, 000 before her brother would be released.

She stated that on Monday, February 11, 2019 when she returned to the station with the N5, 000 she was told that her brother took ill in the cell and was rushed to hospital where he died.

The bereaved woman further explained that in order to cover up her deeds, the  police officer colluded with others on duty, gave the N15, 000 deposit to the 14 years old cousin of the deceased who was also in the cell and asked him to go home.

“I called the doctor who is a family friend, he said the man (my brother) was brought in dead to his hospital.” She stated.

Mrs. Omofonman while demanding for justice alleged that the IPO and some police officers in the station insisted on the money even when the divisional police officer (DPO) directed them to release her brother since the said stolen motorcycle had been recovered.

“That Sunday the DPO told them in my presence not to detain my brother in his cell.

“The woman police told my brother that if he wants to die he should die there in the cell. My brother said he was thirsty, the IPO said I should go and get the balance N5, 000,” Mrs. Omofonman narrated.

Confirming the unfortunate incident, the Public Relations Officer for Edo Police Command DSP Chidi Nwabuzor said the police command was unaware of the issue of N20, 000 demanded for bail.

DSP Nwabuzor explained that the suspect now deceased had conspired with one Omo Benard to steal an unregistered motorcycle as in the course of investigation he took ill and was rushed to one Eromosele Hospital, where he died.

He however advised members of the public to report any policeman demanding money for bail to senior officer as bail is free.

Checks revealed that the DPO of the embattled Ekpoma Divisional Police Headquarters, one CSP Lawrence A. Adijihun who was kept in the dark throughout the episode, had been redeployed to the state police command headquarters in Benin City.

Further checks also revealed unimaginable level of impunity, unprofessional conducts and indiscipline among operatives of the station.

It was scooped that the CSP Adijihun who was recently posted there was planning to sanitize the station when the sad incident occurred.

A dependable source hinted that some operatives have spent over 10 years at the station as they even romance with known criminals and compromise when the need arises.

It would be recalled that the Network on Police Reform In Nigeria (NOPRIN) had few years ago called for a thorough investigation to ascertain the actual circumstances and truth surrounding the killing of one Samuel Imaikop and four others by policemen of the Edo State Police Command.

Also, protests trailed the death of a final year student of the University of Benin (UNIBEN), one Ibrahim Momodu, who was allegedly killed and hurriedly buried by men of Ogida police station, Benin City led by the then DPO, CSP Carol Afegbai on May 27, 2013.

Meanwhile, Nigerian human and civil rights group, the Talakawa’s Parliament, led by Kola Edokpaye has petitioned Edo State Police Commissioner, Hakeem Odumosun for investigation into the unfortunate incident for the purpose of bringing the erring officers to justice. A copy of the petition, as made available to Alltimepost.com is published in this story.