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Policemen allegedly batter lawyer for refusing to give N1, 000 bribe

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Policemen allegedly batter lawyer for refusing to give N1, 000 bribe

A Lagos based lawyer, Sunday Elimihe has accused policemen attached to the Onipanu, Lagos police division of battering him, and leaving him with a wounded for refusing to part with a N1,000 bribe demanded from him.

42-year-old Elimihe said he was rushed to the Shomolu General Hospital on Thursday, where he narrated his ordeal, after the beating he received at the hands of policemen.

According to him, “On my way coming from Lekki where I went to check a property with my client, I decided to use the Onipanu police station road, by Apata. Immediately I drove into the street close to the station, one Corporal Alonge stopped me, demanded for my vehicle particulars. I gave them to him, then he demanded for my driver’s license, which  I also gave him.

“When he discovered I did not commit any offence, he asked for my tinted glass permit which I gave him. He told me I was using a forged tinted glass permit. I told him I could not have forged a police document as a lawyer.

“He became furious and said he was going to arrest me. He jumped into my vehicle and insisted I must give him N1,000 to bail myself. I said I was not going to give him any money since I have not committed any offence.

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“He pounced on me and cocked his gun threatening to shoot me if I make a move. Another policewoman who sighted us came and dragged the gun from him. The policeman after being disarmed descended on me and gave me the beating of my life.

“He pushed me into the cell and another policeman came inside the cell, locked up the cell and beat me for 30 minutes. I see this as intimidation of the highest order, not because I am a lawyer, but because I am an average Nigerian. I was humiliated like a common criminal. This is oppression. One of my eyes is partially blind. I have been vomiting blood since yesterday. It was the intervention of a good policeman in the station who warned them not to kill me. I would have been dead by now,” he said.

Police spokesperson Dolapo Badmos, a Superintendent (SP), said: “We are aware of the incident and the leadership of the command is looking into the matter.”

It was gathered that Police Commissioner Fatai Owoseni has summoned the Onipanu officers to the command’s headquarters in Ikeja for interrogation.

 

 

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