Police Inspector Accused of Working With a Suspected Phone Thief Detained

The Lagos State Police commissioner, Fatai Owoseni, has ordered the detention of Festus Omotosho, a police inspector accused of working with a suspected phone thief, Akeem Popoola.

Last Thursday, Popoola, 21, confessed to working for Inspector Omotosho also known as Ijaya. He explained that Ijaya usually gave him phones to sell to unsuspecting members of the public, only for the inspector and two others to emerge with him in handcuffs minutes later and lead him to arrest the buyer on grounds of purchasing stolen goods.

He added that Ijaya would usually demand a bribe of between N120,000 and N150,000 from the buyers and then give him N5,000 from the bribe money afterwards.

The Lagos State Police spokesperson, SP Dolapo Badmos, confirmed Ijaya’s detention, saying he would be prosecuted for criminal charges if found culpable of the allegation.

She said, “The CP Lagos State Command has ordered his (Ijaya’s) detention. The command and the Ogun State Police Command are investigating the criminal charges. If he is culpable, he will be prosecuted.

“The leadership of the police is committed to cleaning up the force and will continue to decisively deal with bad eggs. We will inform you when the outcome of the investigation is ready.”

Popoola was arrested in Ogun State.

The spokesperson for the Ogun State Police Command, DSP Muyiwa Adejobi, who also confirmed Ijaya’s arrest, said he would face the wrath of the law if found wanting.

He said “The inspector has been arrested, but he is being investigated by the Lagos command for now. We will make sure we have proper investigation into the case. He is there with other suspects. It is a joint assignment with the Lagos command. We assure the public that those found wanting in the case will face the full wrath of the law.”

Source: The Punch