A defendant, Abiodun Lawal, has narrated to Chief Magistrate Lateef Owolabi of the Ogba Magistrate’s Court, Ikeja, Lagos State, how a police Inspector, Segun Adepoju, allegedly slapped and made her sign a statement not written by her under duress.

Lawal, while narrating her ordeal in court on Friday said the incident happened during an interrogation at the Force Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, in the Yaba area of the state.

The 39-years-old, alongside one Deborah Ajayi, 46, and others still at large were said to be facing trial bordering on two counts for allegedly conspiring to commit a felony to wit stealing.

The charge read in part, “That you, Deborah Ajayi, Abiodun Lawal, and others at large between February 10, 2021, and August 24, 2021, around 11am at Oshodi Market, in the Lagos Magisterial District, did steal fabrics valued Fifty Million Naira (N50,000,000.00) property of Bol. Tayo Store, represented by Adebola Oyenekan, and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 280 and punishable under section 287(1)(a)(b)(7) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.”

The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges. During the court proceedings on Friday, the prosecuting counsel, Nosa Uhumwangho, questioned the defendant.

Lawal said, “I was arrested on December 11, 2021, with handcuffs in my hands and taken round the market by the instructions of madam Bolanle.

“During interrogation at Panti and while trying to explain myself, Inspector Segun asked me to shut up and said to me, “you don’t want to cooperate with us.”

“They asked me for my address details and forced me to sign a written statement I didn’t write under duress.”

When the prosecuting counsel asked if Lawal instructed the Investigating Police Officer to write the statement on her behalf, she said, “No, he slapped me on the face while sitting and threatened me to sign the statement.”

Owolabi further adjourned the matter till September 12 for trial within trial and September 14, 20, 2022, for the continuation of trial. (The PUNCH)

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