Lagos, Jan. 10, 2024 – The Divisional Police Officer in Gowon Estate Division in Lagos State has been removed by the State Commissioner of Police for over alleged brutalisation of a lawyer.
Benjamin Hundeyin, the Command’s Spokesman, confirmed the removal of the DPO in a statement on Wednesday.
According to Hundeyin, the State’s Commissioner of Police, Adegoke Fayoade, ordered the immediate removal of the officer from the division.
He said that the removal of the DPO followed the conclusion of investigations into the allegations made against him.
Hundeyin said the removal of the DPO would remain in force until the review of his case by the supervisory authorities.
“The CP had earlier ordered a thorough investigation into the matter upon receipt of the publication. CP Fayoade has equally directed the O.C Legal of the command to initiate steps to reach out to the Nigerian Bar Association, Lagos State Branch, to enable a round table discussion.
“The meeting is towards preventing a recurrence of the avoidable incident and enhancing better police-lawyers relationship,” Hundeyin said.
The police spokesperson promised that the command would continue to uphold the rule of law and sanction any officer found wanting.
The removal of the DPO was likely taken by the police command to forestall the planned protest by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Lagos Branch against the maltreatment and detention of a lawyer, Olumide Sonupe.
Sonupe was allegedly beaten and brutalised by police officers at Gowon Estate on Dec. 30, 2023 in the course of seeking justice for his client, a carpenter detained at the station.
He was detained for two days and hospitalised after his release. (GBN)
