The
Lagos State Police Command has dismissed a police sergeant, Chris
Omeleze, who was caught on video camera extorting N25,000 from a
motorist in Lagos.
In the video footage made available to
our correspondent, an unidentified male motorist is seen pleading with
the Omeleze to accept N2,000 for a traffic offence but the sergeant
blatantly refuses.
The sergeant, who is seen on the
passenger seat, places a call to his superior on the telephone, saying
the motorist’s car must be impounded for refusing to ‘Cooperate.’
The policeman, who is attached to the
State Traffic Division, Ikeja, was arrested on Tuesday after the
Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, saw the video which went
viral on the Internet.
It was learnt that the Commissioner of Police, Umar Manko, ordered that the sergeant should face an orderly room trial.
It was learnt that a panel of policemen
found the sergeant guilty of misconduct and recommended him for
dismissal which the CP approved.
The sergeant, who was close to tears, however said his ordeal was the handiwork of the devil.
Omeleze, with Force number, 192954, was
given a dressing down at the CP’s office on Wednesday. He said he
regretted his action, stressing that he had served in the police for 21
years.
PUNCH Metro learnt that motorists had
been complaining bitterly about extortion by operatives of STD
especially along Obafemi Awolowo Way, Ikeja.
The Police Public Relations Officer,
Ngozi Braide, said the police was disappointed with the sergeant’s
unprofessional behaviour.
Braide said members of the public should
make the habit of reporting such cases of extortion to the police
backed with evidence as this would help police authorities to fish out
bad eggs from the force.
She said, “The video was well detailed
and we were able to locate the sergeant. The video was enough evidence
and after facing an orderly room trial, he was dismissed.
“The police will not condone such behaviour and members of the public are advised to always report such cases.”
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