A human rights organisation, the Centre for Human Rights and Social Justice (CHRSJ), has urged Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to caution the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hakeem Odumosu, over illegal and indiscriminate arrest of innocent citizens of the state, saying that what the Police tagged as general raiding in recent times were just over-zealousness.

It stated that the call became imperative over the illegal arrest of one Mr. Oladipo Dada, a casual worker with the State Ministry of Environment, during the purported and barbaric overzealous activities of the men of Nigeria Police in the State tagged “general raiding” of the innocent citizens of the State.

The group condemned the illegal and unlawful arrest of Mr. Dada on his way back home on Monday evening by the Police, following the Governor Sanwo-Olu’s personal arrest of three suspected arm robbers that nearly snatched a car from the owner at Ojota area of the State on Monday.

It was learnt that Mr. Dada was illegally arrested by the men of Alakuko Divisional Police Station and unlawfully detained till the time of filling this report without allowing his family members to see him, particularly, his brother, Mr. Kayode Dada, an action that is contrary to section 35 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

CHRSJ said information at its disposal was that Oladipo Dada has been treated like a common criminal and has been transferred to different police stations in the last 48 hours instead of being granted bail or charged to Court.

The group said however, that fear had gripped Alakuko Divisional Police Station because Oladipo Dada did not commit any offence that could warrant being charged to Court, adding that he has been finally transferred to the State Command of the Police in Ikeja.

The rights group further alleged that the State Police Commissioner, Mr. Odumosu, directed his men to be engaged in general purported raiding of the entire State to douse the tension of Governor Sanwo-Olu personally arresting arm robbers on Monday this week in the State, adding that Mr. Odumosu also began undemocratic and unconstitutional raiding in the State on Monday evening to impress the Governor that he is working so as not to recommend him for removal as Lagos State Police boss.

It would be recalled that the group (CHRSJ) had earlier called for the immediate removal of Mr. Odumosu by the Police authority in the country, over illegal, unlawful, unconstitutional and undemocratic arrest and detention of innocent citizens of the State beyond constitutional stipulated time, by allowing criminals to have free day across the length and breadth of the State.

Reacting on the development through a signed statement on Wednesday, CHRSJ's Executive Chairman, Comrade Adeniyi Alimi Sulaiman, noted that “Odumosu had shown high level of incompetence and negligence of duty against the rules and regulations guiding the Police officer in the land.”

The rights activist added that Mr. Odumosu was not happy with the recent passed bill by State House of Assembly banning illegal parading of suspects without being proved guilty by a Court of competent jurisdiction, commending the State House of Assembly led by Rt. Hon Mudasiru Obasa for saving the future of innocent citizens of the State from destruction by the security agents after they might have been discharged and acquitted by the law Court.

Sulaiman, who doubles as Convener, Save Lagos Group (SLG), insisted that the Police authority in the country should remove CP Hakeem Odumosu from the State or be transferred to Adamawa, Borno, Yobe, Niger or Benue States where they are having serious security challenges as super cops, accusing Odumosu of committing many sins against the innocent citizens of the State since assumption of office as Lagos Police boss.

He also recalled how CP Odumosu and the State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Prince Muyiwa Adejobi, ignored distress call put to them when an innocent woman, Mrs. Funmilayo Ibikunle-Akanni, at Agboyi-Ketu area of the State was attacked by soldiers and thugs on Friday April 2,2021, adding that Odumosu also showed lackadaisical attitude and dereliction of duty on a matter involving Lagos based car dealer, Mallam Mustapha Abdulfatai, which necessitated a CHRSJ Petition Letter dated June 8,2020, against one Police Inspector Daniel of Bode Thomas Police Station; one Bolaji who claimed to be cousin of Femi Gbajabiamila, Speaker of House of Representatives; Abubakar Ibrahim of Iponri Estate and their driver, adding that instead of CP Odumosu to direct his men to do the needful by conducting thorough investigation into the matter, the Police just turned the matter against the complainant (Mallam Mustapha Abdulfatai) and Editor of the Security News Media House, because of one of defendants who claimed to be cousin of Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila.

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