Admin l Tuesday, April 09, 2019
IKEJA, Lagos, Nigeria – Four officers dismissed from Special Anti Robbery Squad(SARS) for obtaining N7 million from a civilian at gunpoint were today arraigned before a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja on 3 count charge of corruption, conspiracy and abuse of office.
The policemen, Sgt. Adeoye Adekunle, Sgt. Adeniran Adebowale, Sgt. Agbi Lucky and Sgt. Odighe Hehosa were dismissed following approval by then Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 2 Command, Lagos, Adamu Ibrahim.
They were subsequently charged before a Magistrate court for armed robbery, kidnapping, unlawful detention, and intimidation, as well as threatening violence. But at the State High Court, the four officers were charged for conspiracy, corruption by a public officer and abuse of office by a public officer.
They pleaded not guilty to the charges. During the proceedings, counsel to one of the former SARS officer, A.O Aguegebobo informed the court of the bail application he had filed before the court on behalf of his clients.
He argued that the offence committed by Aguegebobo his client is a bailable offence and that investigation on the matter had been concluded by the police. The counsel also informed the court that the defendants have been in prison custody since the 18th of July 2018. The prosecuting counsel, Adeola Odumabo however did not oppose the bail application. Ruling on the bail application, the Presiding Judge, Justice Hakeem Oshodi admitted the defendants to bail in the sum N500, 000 with two sureties in like sum.
“The defendants are hereby admitted to bail in the sum of N500, 000 with two sureties. One of the sureties must be a blood relation while the other must be a police officer not less than an Inspector. The defendants are to be remandwd in priaons custody pending the perfection of their bail, ” the Judge ruled. The matter was thereafter adjourned till October 15, 2019 for trial to commence.
Recall that the SARS men were dismissed following a petition by one Mr. Chukwudi Godwin Odionye, alias ‘Bishop.’ Bishop who wrote the petition on May 2, 2018, alleged that sometimes in June 4, 2017, he was in his house around Alagbado area of the state, when four armed men stormed his house to effect his arrest on the allegation of performing ‘FAKE’ miracles.
He further alleged that after his arrest, he was taken to one hotel at Agege, where he was detained and threatened to be killed, if he failed to cooperate. The petitioner further explained further that the following day, June 5, 2017, he was taken to the bank where he was made to transfer N7 million to the account of one of the operatives.
