Joy Anyim
The police inspector, who had been declared wanted for shooting the late Ada Ifeanyi, have been tried and dismissed in absentia.
The police inspector, Dania Ojo and five of his team members from the Trinity Police Division, had on April 23, 2019, embarked on routine patrol around the Olodi Apapa area.
At about 6:30 am, While the men were on duty, they spotted a vehicle drive pass them and stopped the vehicle.
The driver and a lover to the deceased, Akomafuwa Emmanuel, stopped, told the policemen he was returning from a night club. He was allowed to continue with his journey.
Not satisfied with Emmanuel’s explanation, Inspector Ojo had boarded a bike, gave the vehicle a hot chase despite advice from his colleagues not to do so.
The Inspector opened fire on the 20 year old Ada and her lover. Adaobi died on the spot, while Emmanuel sustained severe gun shot wounds and is currently battling for survival.
Giving an update on the incident at the Command Headquarters in Ikeja on Thursday, the Lagos Commissioner of Police, CP Zubairu Muazu said the Inspector was tried and dismissed in absentia.
According to CP Muazu, “ The Police Officers were subjected to internal disciplinary proceedings at the Command Headquarters Ikeja. Investigation revealed that Inspector Dania Ojo unilaterally carried out the shooting without consideration to laid down procedures on the use of firearm.
“ He is therefore, found guilty of abuse of power, unlawful and unnecessary exercise of authority. He is thereby dismissed from the Nigeria Police Force and declared wanted. Upon arrest, he will be charged to Court for Murder.”
The Lagos police boss further stated that the other five team members had been discharged and acquitted.
Justifying the decision of the disciplinary committee, he said, “ The other five members of the team, were not involved in the crime. While the inspector gave the vehicle a hot chase, the other team member returned with their guns to the division after their official duty.
“ They did not even know that the Inspector had killed someone, until the case was reported.”