Police remove Lagos DPO for detaining lawyer seeking bail for client
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Sonupe had gone to seek bail for his client at the Moshalashi Police Station in the Alimosho area of the state on December 30, but was detained by the DPO.
By Moses Omorogieva
The Lagos State Police Command has removed the Divisional Officer (DPO) of Gowon Estate for detaining one Olumide Sonupe, a lawyer who was seeking bail for his client.
Sonupe had gone to seek bail for his client at the Moshalashi Police Station in the Alimosho area of the state on December 30, but was detained by the DPO.
The ordeal of the Lagos-based lawyer who was hospitalised after the detention by attracted the attention and outrage of his colleagues in the state branch of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA.
In reaction to the outrage, the Lagos
Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, in a statement on Wednesday said the Commissioner of police, Adegoke Fayoade has ordered the immediate removal of the DPO from the division.
Hundeyin said this followed the conclusion of investigations into the allegations made against the DPO, as published in the media on Jan. 4.
The Police spokesperson added that the DPO would be removed pending a review of his case by other supervisory authorities.
He also said the Command will reach out to the Lagos branch of the NBA over the issue.
“The CP had earlier ordered a thorough investigation into the matter upon receipt of the publication.
“CP Fayoade has equally directed the OC Legal of the Command to initiate steps to reach out to the Nigerian Bar Association, Lagos State Branch to enable a round table discussion.
“The meeting is towards preventing a recurrence of the avoidable incident and enhancing better Police-Lawyers relationship,” he said.
The spokesperson said that the command would continue to uphold the rule of law and sanction any officer found wanting.
NAN
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