On Saturday, Odumosu, who was attending a social event at the estate, ordered the arrest of four security guards for their “refusal to allow” him into Brooks Estate.
The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre), a civil organisation, has expressed dissatisfaction over the arrest of some security guards and a widow with three children at Brooks Estate, Magodo, Lagos, by Commissioner of Police in the state, Hakeem Odumosu.
On Saturday, Odumosu, who was attending a social event at the estate, ordered the arrest of four security guards for their “refusal to allow” him into Brooks Estate.
He subsequently ordered the arrest of one Adebola Fatiregun, a female resident, and her three children, for intervening in the matter.
Adekunle Ajisebutu, Lagos police spokesperson, had said in a statement on Sunday that the CP visited the estate on Saturday to meet a “strategic partner” but was refused entry by some private security guards even after being formally introduced.
Debunking this claim, MABRA said the security guards had no prior knowledge of the CP’s visit and were arrested in their bid to assist him with directions.
According to a statement signed by the estate’s spokesperson, the CP’s action resulted in the complete shutdown of the estate as residents were unable to come in or go out as a result of the arrest of the guards on duty.
Chairman of HEDA, Suraj Olanrewaju, in a statement on Tuesday insisted that the police boss was expected to act in a civil manner befitting of his class in the society and show a sense of mental maturity by playing by the rules guiding entry and exit of the estate executed by the security guards.
Olanrewaju also listed some human right abuses under the newly promoted Assistant Inspector General of Police.
“The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) wished to express dissatisfaction over the widely reported arrest of some security guards and a widow with three children at Brooks Estate in Magodo, Lagos, by the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr Hakeem Odumosu, on Saturday, January 1st, 2022,” the statement read.
“It was reported and admitted by the force that the Commissioner of Police was on a “private social visit” to a friend holding a function in the estate, thus, was expected to act in a civil manner to befitting his class in the society. More so it was expected of Mr Odumosu to show a sense of mental maturity by playing by the rules guiding entry and exit of the estate executed by the security guards. As we know, there are rules guiding every territory, since Mr Commissioner was not going for a war (where protocol in an environment may be thwarted), one expect him to follow due process at the main gate as it is obtained in every organised clime.
“We are not Ignorant of those sentiments which triggered the CP's actions against those diligent security guards. The brouhaha -particularly the gridlock at Isheri, this incident has caused is disturbing and highly condemnable.
We are also not unaware that the Nigeria police would not spare anyone who tries to disobey its protocol at the entry point of its facilities or anyone who resists its security personnel at the gate. If the public is expected to cooperate with the police at any point in time, why would the police not respect other people's rules?
“Recall that there are so many reports in the past against the outgoing Commissioner of Police in Lagos being promoted to Assistant Inspector-General of Police on human rights abuses and abuse of office.
“A typical instance was the case of American woman, Kari Ann R'ouke, who sued Mr Odumosu in March 2021 in a Federal High Court in Lagos for alleged illegal detention and demanded N100million as compensation. According to her, her continued detention without being charged is illegal and unconstitutional, therefore asked the court to free her from the custody of the police.
“More so, in 2021, Justice Akintayo Aluko of the Federal High Court in Lagos State ordered the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, to obey an order seeking the release of a truck unlawfully seized and detained by the Divisional Police Officer and the Divisional Crime Officer of Isolo Police Division, Lagos State, since December 21, 2020, under the watch of CP Odumosu.
“Justice Aluko also ordered the IGP to produce the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, and the other officers who were co-respondents in court for contempt proceedings over alleged violation of the court’s order.
“There are many more instances of abuses of human rights and office begging for redress.
“On this note, we reiterates that in our quest to protect and promote universally recognised human rights, accountability and environmental justice in Nigeria and Africa in accordance with international standards, through research and publications, campaigns, human rights education and empowerment projects and programmes, we in the civic space would never keep silent over any action or inaction targeted at citizens to dehumanise them.
“We invite the Inspector-General of Police to order an investigation into the misuse of privilege by the Lagos Commissioner of Police and further call on Lagos State governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to apologise to the affected victims of Mr Odumosu’s breach of public peace and violation of human rights.”