‘I will only surrender to IG, national assembly’ — ‘Badoo kingpin’ speaks from hiding

Alaka Kamal, suspected Badoo kingpin, says the police is after him because he refused to pay N10m bribe that was demanded from him.

Kamal was declared wanted by the Lagos state police command for allegedly being involved in the activities of the Badoo cult group.

His property, including a hotel and filling station, were sealed off by the command on Wednesday.

But he says contrary to the police’ claims, there is no evidence to prove he is a member of the Badoo group.

The Badoo kingpin said he is ready to appear before the police and the national assembly but not before the Lagos police command nor before Edgal Imohimi, the state commissioner of police.

Kamal, who spoke to PUNCH from hiding, said: “The genesis of this issue was when the IPO requested that I should pay N10m to settle some police officers at the command. It was when I refused to pay the money that I was arrested. I have petitioned the national assembly and the IGP on this.”

He said while the police have not made any attempt to invite him since he was declared wanted, no prime suspect of the group has been arrested.

Kamal said the properties sealed by the police were legally acquired by him and has nothing to do with his alleged crime.

He said: “What evidence did the police have before calling me Badoo (kingpin)? Did any suspect mention my name? What does sealing my property have to do with this case? I applied and paid for the Certificate of Occupancy for the filling station five years ago, but I have not got it. I have evidence of payments.

“Since the police declared me wanted, no policeman came to my house or office to invite me. The police have my number, but they did not call me on the telephone for invitation. I don’t believe I am wanted because no invitation was sent to me.

“Since the police said they were looking for Badoo members, they have not arrested any prime suspect.

“I want the government to intervene. I am ready to appear before the police or any investigative body, but not before the Lagos state Police command and Edgal (Imohimi). A team should be set up to investigate the matter, particularly from Abuja. He (Edgal) declared me a Badoo kingpin, but what evidence does he have? About five security men guarding the filling station have been arrested.”

Kamal said he has since sued the Lagos police command at the federal high court, Ikoyi, for “blackmail” but the respondents had yet to appear before the court.

“I will not show up at the Lagos state police command for three reasons: one, they don’t have evidence against me. I was arrested and released the following day without being told to write a statement,” he said.

“Secondly, the CP has refused to appear in court. The case has been in court since August 2017. For three adjourned dates, the court was said to be on vacation. During the last sitting, the judge adjourned till February 2018 for ruling on the injunction, which is very suspicious.

“Thirdly, I will not surrender myself to the CP because he will compromise investigation. But I am ready to appear before the inspector-general of police and the national assembly.”