Lagos CP removes DPO over officers’ ‘intimidation’ of woman at station

Idowu Owohunwa, commissioner of police (CP) in Lagos, has ordered the immediate removal of Amusa Ismaila as divisional police officer (DPO) of Olosan Mushin, over alleged professional misconduct at his station.

The CP also ordered disciplinary actions against the officers who allegedly intimidated a lady at the station.

A lady identified as James Omolara had made a viral video alleging that she was assaulted by a man known as Bebex, in the Ladipo area of Mushin, Lagos.

However, a few hours later, Omolara shared another video in which she recanted all her initial claims, saying she misquoted Bebex and accused him out of anger.

But several videos on social media established that Omolara made the U-turn in her story after she made an appearance at the Mushin police station and was allegedly intimidated by the officers on duty.

In a thread of tweets on Tuesday, Benjamin Hundeyin, the command’s spokesperson, said Omolara had upheld her initial story, and the case has a “willing complainant” and would be immediately charged to court.

“Due to multifarious interests in this matter and the need to ensure justice, CP Idowu Owohunwa is personally interviewing all parties in this case. @Lagosdsva community members, landlord association and councillor representing the area,” the tweet reads.

“The committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), Omolara and family, Bebex and his employees, and lawyers representing both sides are in attendance.

“It is elating and morale-boosting that we now have a willing complainant and as a result, a tenable case to present in court.

“CP Idowu Owohunwa, having carefully listened to all parties, has established that there are indeed cases to answer and has therefore directed that the matter be charged to court immediately.

“The CP also identified professional misconduct on the part of some of the police officers involved in the case. For this, the Command Provost has been directed to immediately commence disciplinary action against the officers concerned.

“And finally, the divisional police officer (DPO) Mushin, in whose division all the officers aforementioned are serving, has been relieved of his posting with immediate effect.”