Lagos CP Removes DPO for Alleged N100,000 Extortion

The Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Idowu Owohunwa, has ordered the immediate removal of the Divisional Police Officer of Okokomaiko, SP Emmanuel Edebagha, over allegations of extortion. According to the police spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, the DPO was removed for failing to supervise his men, who were accused of extorting a phone dealer, Onyinyechi Anwusi, of N100,000 in the Alaba International Market.

Hundeyin disclosed via Twitter that the CP had ordered disciplinary action against the DPO and the indicted officers. The officers involved in the alleged extortion are said to be in custody at the state headquarters.

Anwusi claimed that he was stopped by the police officers, who searched his phone and found nothing incriminating. They allegedly forced him to write a statement admitting to being an internet fraudster and asked him to pay the sum of N100,000. The police spokesperson, however, stated that the findings from the disciplinary action would determine the punishment to be meted out to the DPO and the accused officers, which could range from dismissal to suspension or reduction in rank.