Story by Iyiola Ayomide
LAGOS - The Lagos State Police Command's Commissioner of Police, CP Adegoke Fayoade, has issued a query to CSP Godwin Okoruwa, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Epe Divisional Headquarters.
This action was taken as a result of DPO Okoruwa accepting a cheque for N2 million from an Epe paramount ruler (whose name is withheld) in exchange for the release of four suspected armed robbers.
According to sources, the suspects had been apprehended by police detectives from Epe Division during a Stop and Search operation. They were found in possession of locally made guns that were cut to size and cartridges.
As the suspects were being interrogated, the paramount ruler contacted the DPO and claimed that the arrested individuals were not armed robbers but were actually working for him. Allegedly, the paramount ruler signed a N2 million cheque and sent it to the DPO through one of his associates, instructing that N1 million be given to the arresting officers, while the remaining N1 million be kept by the DPO.
The DPO swiftly obtained the cheque and requested for the case file of the suspects. He was planning to release them when an unidentified traditional leader in Bariga, Lagos became aware of the situation and informed the Commissioner of Police of the Lagos State Police Command. Subsequently, the Commissioner ordered that the suspects be taken to the Command Headquarters in Ikeja the following morning.
The DPO, uncertain of the next course of action, was torn between not wanting to undermine the paramount ruler who allegedly supported him and potentially jeopardizing his job by defying his superior. Consequently, he quickly transferred the handcuffed boys from the station to an undisclosed hotel to avoid a visit from the paramount ruler.
Following that, at 5.00am, he obediently boarded a vehicle to Ikeja as per the CP's instructions. According to sources, the DPO had caused significant trouble for Baale Olalekan Olatunde regarding a long-standing dispute between him and the Elepe of Epe concerning the ownership of a specific large area of land.
The DPO's subordinates allegedly placed guns and other hazardous weapons at the residences of Baale Olatunde's loyal supporters, resulting in their arrest and prosecution for illegal possession of firearms, supposedly at the direction of the Elepe of Epe.
The supreme leader was rumored to possess such immense power and authority that he could manipulate Magistrates and judges to detain loyalists of the Baale. Despite attempts to reach out to the Command’s PRO SP Benjamin Hundeyin for a response, it was unsuccessful as he mentioned being in the company of the CP and thus, unable to engage in conversation. He sent a text message saying, "I am currently with my superior, so I am unable to answer your calls. Kindly allow me to call you back later."
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