DEMAND FOR JUSTICE FOR MR. OLABODE IMISI
Our attention has been drawn to the cruel, inhumane and provocative treatment of Mr. Olabode Imisi by officers of the @PoliceNG at Obalende Police Station, Ijebu Ode, Ogun State.
#Justice4Olabode @segalink @PoliceNG_CRU
Our attention has been drawn to the cruel, inhumane and provocative treatment of Mr. Olabode Imisi by officers of the @PoliceNG at Obalende Police Station, Ijebu Ode, Ogun State.
#Justice4Olabode @segalink @PoliceNG_CRU
To be exact, on the 16th of January, 2020, Mr. Olabode Imisi, a cleric was travelling from Ibiade, Ogun Waterside with his motorcycle to Irolu, a town close to Sagamu for a Crusade.
Around 2pm on that very day, he stopped along Ondo Road, Ijebu-Ode to repair his motorcycle which developed fault. While waiting for the vulcanizer to get done with the repair, he was approached by two policemen, who came on bike, and thereafter arrested him.
On getting to Obalende Police Station, he was accused of armed robbery and stealing of a motorcycle belonging to a 'Judge' on the 12th of January, 2020.
A rudely shocked Olabode completely denied the allegation, explaining that he was far away from Ijebu-Ode, where and when the "robbery" incidence took place. In fact, as a Cleric, he was at a church program throughout that day, being a Sunday.
He was thereafter seriously beaten and cruelly tortured for denying the allegations by officers of the Nigerian Police at Obalende Police Station.
By the time the Police discovered the gentleman wasn't yielding to the purpose of the torture, which was to plead guilty, he was thrown into the cell.
Dusk came and Mr. Olabode was invited to pen down his confessional statement.
Dusk came and Mr. Olabode was invited to pen down his confessional statement.
According to Mr. Olabode, being an illiterate, the confessional statement was singlehandedly written by a Police officer who later gave same to him to sign under duress without necessarily knowing the content.
On Saturday, the 18th of January, 2020, the police offered an out of court settlement on the matter. A livid Mr. Olabode blatantly rejected the offer but was persuaded by his family members to opt for same just to secure his release since that was the ONLY condition ...
to guarantee his freedom.
On Monday, the 20th of January, 2020 Mr. Olabode was compelled to pay the sum of #100,000:00 (one hundred thousand naira only) being the advance sum for the 'stolen' motorcycle and #20,000 for his BAIL at the Police Station.
On Monday, the 20th of January, 2020 Mr. Olabode was compelled to pay the sum of #100,000:00 (one hundred thousand naira only) being the advance sum for the 'stolen' motorcycle and #20,000 for his BAIL at the Police Station.
He was then ordered by the Police to go to the registry to swear an Affidavit of Undertaking, promising to pay the balance of #145,000:00 on or before the 29th of February, 2020.
Mr. Olabode was released on Monday, the 20th of January 2020 having paid the total sum of #120,000.
Mr. Olabode was released on Monday, the 20th of January 2020 having paid the total sum of #120,000.
It must be noted, however, that his Honda Motorcycle, phone and bags were not released to him. The Police requested that the sum of #30,000 be paid, being the balance of the BAIL fee. According to Police, until this is paid, the properties wouldn't be released.
It must be emphatically stressed that both the money for the bail (#20,000) and the advance payment for the 'stolen' motorcycle (#100,000) was received in cash by officers of the Nigerian Police Force at Obalende Police Station, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.
As at today, the name of the complainant is completely unknown to Mr. Olabode and the whole matter is shrouded in secrecy. One suspects that it is merely a calculated attempt by the Police to extort an innocent citizen.
Apparently, this is a clear case of unlawful detention, inhumane treatment, dehumanising torture, corruption and extortion by the officers of the Nigerian Police.
We hereby demand that this unprofessional and criminal activity of the police officers at Obalende Police Station, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State should be looked into and not swept under the carpet.
The Police owes a duty to protect and treat with courtesy the people of Nigeria.
The Police owes a duty to protect and treat with courtesy the people of Nigeria.
Any attempt to encroach on the fundamental rights and dignity of Nigerians by the Police would be resisted by all fireworks permissible under law and equity.
Take adequate notice that we unequivocally demand for the refund of the #120,000 paid and the sanction of those officers and civilians involved in the shady deal.
Justice must not just be done to Mr. Olabode, it must be seen to have been done.
Injury to one is injury to all!
Justice must not just be done to Mr. Olabode, it must be seen to have been done.
Injury to one is injury to all!
Signed:
Festus Ogun
(Convener, Legal Minds for Good Governance Initiative and human rights activist)
09066324982 festusogunlaw@gmail.com
Festus Ogun
(Convener, Legal Minds for Good Governance Initiative and human rights activist)
09066324982 festusogunlaw@gmail.com
