Joy Anyim
For allegedly extorting a traffic offender, Didi Ekanem, of N100,000 and reportedly demanding for sex from her, the head of a police team attached to the Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Enforcement Unit (Task Force), Popoola Kayode, has been arrested.
Kayode, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), was arrested alongside members of his team for perpetrating the illegal act.
It was gathered that Kayode and his team had gone on enforcement operation on November 18, along the Lekki-Ajah expressway, when they accosted Ekanem driving against traffic (one way).
Ekanem’s vehicle, a Venza with registration number APP 775 GJ, was impounded and taken to the Agency’s Headquarters in Oshodi.
The policemen reportedly ordered the offender to pay the said sum into a private account, and subsequently made sexual advances on her.
Speaking on the development, the Agency’s Chairman, Olayinka Egbeyemi, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), said the policemen will soon be transfered to Lagos State Command Headquarters for disciplinary action.
Egbeyemi said, “We immediately investigated the matter based a on a report on it, and discovered that the vehicle (Venza APP 775 GJ) was arrested for driving against traffic (one-way) around Lekki – Ajah expressway by the enforcement team of the Agency on Wednesday, November 18, 2020.
“The investigation revealed further that the vehicle was impounded and brought to the Agency’s car park at Alausa, Ikeja. The Leader of the team DSP Popoola Kayode, collected the sum of N100,000 via bank transfer on his account before he released the vehicle to the owner (Didi Ekanem).
“The leader of the team and members of the team have been arrested and queried, while they would be sent back to the Lagos Police Command for further disciplinary actions.”
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He further warned motorists particularly private car owners and motorcycle operators to desist from driving against traffic (one-way) as anyone caught would be charged to the Lagos State Mobile Court for prosecution.
Egbeyemi said, “Members of the public should stop inducing our officers with money and be reminded that both the giver and receiver are liable in Law. It is only Court that pronounces traffic fines and money paid into government purse.
“Members of the public are urged to always report any corrupt officer who engages in shady deals thereby spoiling the image of the Agency for disciplinary actions.”