17 policemen dismissed over alleged murder, unprofessional conducts

According to the state’s Commissioner of Police (CP), Hakeem Odumosu, 18 other officers got rank reductions, while 29 policemen were issued warning letters.

Odumosu in a statement by the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said a total of 81 personnel were tried for various offences that were committed between October 2019 and October 2020.

He said the offences range from murder, discreditable conducts, excessive use of power, corrupt practices and negligence.

“The command has dismissed and prosecuted seven personnel,  while 10 personnel were dismissed. In addition,18 of the men were reduced in ranks and 29 were awarded N10 major entries and warning letters accordingly. Others were awarded extra fatigue while 16 of the men were discharged and acquitted for want of evidence.

“The personnel that were tried in the orderly room proceedings conducted at various locations in Lagos State included 45 Inspectors, 29 Sergeants and seven Corporals, ” Odumosu stated.

The CP revealed that some senior officers of the command have also been queried for various offences and that the queries were being processed at the Force Headquarters Abuja for necessary action and punishments.

“ It is important to state that some of the affected personnel were attached to Lagos State Police Command while others were serving at various police formations within Lagos State. The trials were instituted based on series of complaints/allegations leveled against them, ”he said.

Stating that the punishments were awarded based on the magnitude of offences committed by personnel, he said the punishments were also in accordance with the provisions of the Police Act and Regulations, .

He noted that the disciplinary actions were prove of steps being taken by the command to sanitise its workforce in order to change the general perception that Lagos State Police Command and the entire police force, in particular, condone indiscipline and crimes.

The police boss reiterated that police personnel are held accountable for their actions and inactions, he therefore appealed to the general public to report any misconduct of police personnel to appropriate authorities as such will be treated accordingly and justice will be done.

While Odumosu charged officers and men of the command to be thorough and professional in their day-to-day activities, he assured them of reform and better standards in the police as being championed by the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Mohammed Adamu.