The Lagos State Police Command has dismissed a police sergeant, Chris Omeleze, who was caught on video camera extorting N25,000 from a motorist in Lagos.
The Lagos State Police Command has dismissed a police sergeant, Chris Omeleze, who was caught on video camera extorting N25,000 from a motorist in Lagos.
In the video footage made available to our correspondent, an unidentified male motorist is seen pleading with the Omeleze to accept N2,000 for a traffic offence but the sergeant blatantly refuses.
The sergeant, who is seen on the passenger seat, places a call to his superior on the telephone, saying the motorist’s car must be impounded for refusing to ‘Cooperate.’
The policeman, who is attached to the State Traffic Division, Ikeja, was arrested on Tuesday after the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, saw the video which went viral on the Internet.
It was learnt that the Commissioner of Police, Umar Manko, ordered that the sergeant should face an orderly room trial.
It was learnt that a panel of policemen found the sergeant guilty of misconduct and recommended him for dismissal which the CP approved.
The sergeant, who was close to tears, however said his ordeal was the handiwork of the devil.
Omeleze, with Force number, 192954, was given a dressing down at the CP’s office on Wednesday. He said he regretted his action, stressing that he had served in the police for 21 years.
PUNCH Metro learnt that motorists had been complaining bitterly about extortion by operatives of STD especially along Obafemi Awolowo Way, Ikeja.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Ngozi Braide, said the police was disappointed with the sergeant’s unprofessional behaviour.
Braide said members of the public should make the habit of reporting such cases of extortion to the police backed with evidence as this would help police authorities to fish out bad eggs from the force.
She said, “The video was well detailed and we were able to locate the sergeant. The video was enough evidence and after facing an orderly room trial, he was dismissed.
“The police will not condone such behaviour and members of the public are advised to always report such cases.”
See video below