Lagos CP responds to Obasa’s accusations

Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Ishola Olawale, has responded to the accusations levelled against him by Mudashiru Obasa, the erstwhile Speaker of the Lagos House of Assembly.

Obasa, who made a return to Lagos on Saturday, accused CP Olawale of surreptitiously aiding his impeachment by allegedly dispatching a coterie of policemen to invade the Assembly and his residence on the day of his removal.

Obasa further alleged that an overwhelming contingent of over 200 policemen purportedly invaded his residences, situated in the Agege area of the state and at the GRA, thereby blocking the gate and effectively preventing members of his family from exiting the house.

In his words, Obasa lamented, “My children did not sleep in this house on that day because they were locked out, and my wife kept inside — house arrest.”

In a swift rejoinder, CP Olawale contended that Obasa’s claims could be effortlessly investigated by consulting with the residents of the estate without him needing to defend himself.

“The man lives within an estate, so that means before you get to his house, you must have breached the gate of that estate,” CP Olawale queried. “There are gatemen in the estate, why don’t you find out? 200 policemen? How many policemen do I have? Have you asked that question?”

Furthermore, CP Olawale emphatically asserted that the police had no legitimate business at the assembly, as they were not authorized to be present within the hallowed chambers.

“Whatever happens there (in the assembly) has nothing to do with the police,” he stated. “They have ways they check themselves in, and I don’t believe anybody who has no business inside the assembly is allowed in. They have their sergeants at hand who coordinate the conduct of the assembly.”

In conclusion, CP Olawale reiterated that the law categorically prohibits him from supervising or intervening in the affairs of the assembly.

“It has nothing to do with me as a policeman,” he added, thereby unequivocally refuting Obasa’s allegations.