Pelumi Olajengbesi, the lawyer representing UK-based Lagos socialite, Dorcas Adeyinka, has accused the Nigeria Police Force of harassing his client over unfounded allegations.

The lawyer faulted the public declaration of Adeyinka as a wanted person by the police over “phantom allegations”.

The Nigeria Police Force, on Sunday, declared a Lagos socialite and blogger, Dorcas Adeyinka, wanted for alleged cyber-stalking, abduction, and murder, among others.

The police urged members of the public to “arrest and hand over the suspect to the nearest police station or the office of the IGP Monitoring Unit, Force Headquarters, Abuja.”

Reacting to the development in an interview with our correspondent on Monday, Adeyinka’s lawyer noted that he wishes to clarify that his client is “a law-abiding citizen who has never shunned any police invitation for any reason, particularly in the present allegations as put out by the police.”

Olajengbesi said, “As legal representatives for Chief Dorcas Adeyinka, we have noted various reports, including those from reputable news sources and official Nigeria Police Force channels, claiming our client has been declared wanted in connection with some phantom allegations.

“While we acknowledge that this issue originated from a shameful social media dispute involving certain individuals, we are surprised by the extent of attention it has garnered from the Nigeria Police Force.

“We wish to clarify that Chief Dorcas Adeyinka is a law-abiding citizen who has never shunned any Police invitation for any reason, particularly in the present allegations as put out by the police,”

He, however, noted that, after seeking recourse from the police over the alleged malicious circulation of her private images online, she has further faced harassment and attempts to silence her.

The lawyer noted, Our client has found herself ensnared in a social media altercation initiated by individuals who maliciously circulated her private images online.

“Seeking recourse, she sought assistance from the police, only to face further harassment and attempts to silence her.

“It is crucial to note that this is not the first instance of our client being unfairly targeted. In December of last year, similar unfounded charges were levied against her, only to be struck out by the court due to lack of evidence.

“Subsequently, not satisfied by the decision of the Court, she was summoned for questioning by the Inspector General of Police’s Monitoring Unit in Abuja, where, once again, no substance was found in the allegations. She was granted bail.

“Following this, our client was assured by the investigating team that the Lagos Police office would extend an invitation to her and all concerned parties to finalise the matter. However, this invitation did not materialize until a public announcement was made regarding her reception of a Chieftaincy title on May 11, 2024.

“The office of the IGP Monitoring Unit asked her to report to the Abuja office on the 8^th of May, 2024, to which she communicated her schedule and informed them that her legal team would coordinate a suitable alternative date with the Police.

“Therefore, the proclamation of her being wanted, especially when her availability was evident, and she was in a public event just yesterday, May 11, 2024, where she was decorated, suggests either a misguidance within the Nigeria Police Force or an unauthorized access to their official channels to make such a derogatory statement. This appears to trivialize the crucial role of the Police.

“Despite these challenges, Chief Dorcas Adeyinka remains steadfast in adhering to legal procedures. We have initiated contact with the appropriate channels to arrange a suitable date for her to comply with the investigative process. In times like this, the courts we believe would ultimately uphold justice and fairness for all parties.”

Meanwhile, PUNCH Online had earlier reported that a Chief Magistrate Court in Wuse Zone 6, Abuja, summoned two social media users for defaming Adeyinka by allegedly sharing her nude photo online.

In the court summons dated Thursday, May 9, 2024, which our correspondent obtained, Chief Magistrate Emmanuel Iyanna ordered the two defendants — Tolulope Adeoye, aka Abike Jagaban, and Tolulope Odegbami aka Olowosibi — to appear in person before the court on June 4, 2024, to answer the charges levelled against them by the complainant.

The summons followed a criminal complaint filed by the complainant’s lawyers led by Pelumi Olajengbesi of an Abuja-based law firm, Law Corridor.

The socialite accused the defendants of sharing her nude photo on social media and ridiculing her. (The PUNCH)

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