The Commissioner of Police for Lagos State, Adegoke Fayoade, has directed an investigation into bribery allegations leveled against Godwin Okoruwa, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Epe. The command has also instructed Okoruwa to “step aside” pending the completion of the investigation.
This move comes in response to a publication titled “Lagos DPO Queried For Accepting N2m To Release Suspected Armed Robbers” by an online medium (not PUNCH Online). The article claimed that Okoruwa accepted a N2m cheque from a monarch in Epe to release four suspected armed robbers apprehended by detectives during a stop-and-search operation. The suspects were undergoing investigation when the monarch allegedly claimed they were his men and not armed robbers.
The State Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Humdeyin, clarified the situation via his Twitter account @BenHundeyin on Monday, refuting claims that CP Adegoke Fayoade had queried the DPO over the allegation. Humdeyin stated, “CP Adegoke Fayoade has ordered an investigation into the allegations contained in this publication. Pending the outcome of the investigation and on the instructions of the CP, the DPO has stepped aside.”
During PUNCH Metro’s investigations, a police source revealed that Okoruwa did not receive any bribe and was not acquainted with the monarch. The source also mentioned that previous publications had reported ongoing issues between the monarch and Okoruwa. The source emphasized that the case involving the suspects was promptly transferred to the headquarters on the same day they were arrested, and there was no truth in the claim that the DPO had been queried.
A police source familiar with the matter stated that Okoruwa’s men in the division had conducted a stop-and-search operation, leading to the recovery of two locally made pistols and a Sienna bus. While the case was under investigation, another DPO in Epe, Noforija, expressed interest in the matter. Despite this, Okoruwa insisted on not releasing the suspects. The CP reportedly directed Okoruwa to transfer the case to his office, which was promptly done.
The source urged the police hierarchy to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter and prevent social media pressure from causing harm to an officer carrying out his duty.
The state PPRO, Hundeyin, confirmed the incident, stating that six suspects were involved, and the incident occurred on Thursday. The police force continues its efforts to address misconduct among its officers, as seen in the recent identification and vow to sanction three officers who stopped a motorist in Lagos without displaying their ID cards and uniforms.