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By Sunday Ani
The traditional ruler of Otumara Community in Lagos Mainland of Lagos State, High Chief Kehinde Kalejaiye, has urged the Police standardise investigation processes in order to strengthen the criminal justice system.
Kalejaiye also advised against the duplication of cases and parallel investigations in the police force.
He gave the advice following the move by the dethroned Baale of Otumara community, Ladi Arowojolu, Shola Adegun, and five others to truncate and supress the course of justice, using officers at the Zone 2, Police Headquarters, Lagos.
He had instituted a case bordering on assault and threat to his life by the suspects.
The case, according to him, had been investigated by officers of the CP Squad led by ASP Jaguno at the Lagos State Police Command and suspects recommended for prosecution. But, rather than report to the state command to prove their innocence, Kalejaiye alleged that the suspects duplicated the case on false allegation against the complainant at the Zone 2, an act which violates the Inspector General’s directive.
He said: “The suspects, including the dethroned traditional ruler of the community, Arowojolu, Adegun and five others, allegedly assaulted, harassed, falsely accused and threatened to end my life. I reported the case at the State Command and it was subsequently investigated and recommended for prosecution.
“Instead of the suspects to appear at the Command, they ran to the Anti-Crime Squad at Zone 2, and raised a petition against me, alleging that they were wrongly accused.
“This act is nothing but a violation of the order of the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Adegoke Fayoade. There is no contending the fact that police officers are one and the same, therefore, there should be no need for duplication of cases.”
While commending the Zone 2 Police Command for its swift response to commence the trial of officers that demanded for tinted permit from a motorist in viral video, Kalejaiye urged the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 2, to wade into the incessant duplication of cases, particularly a case filed by the dethroned traditional ruler of Otumara, Arowojolu, which is currently with the anti-crime squad.
He said: “I commend the police for their swift action in apprehending the officers involved in the tinted permit saga. I want to appeal to the police to act with similar speed to address the issue of case duplication as it is capable of not only jeopardising the efforts of the police, but also undermining the authority of the Commissioner of Police, and also setting federal and state commands against each other.”
When contacted, the spokesperson of the Command, SP Ayuba T. Umma, pledged to investigate the allegation and ensure that justice is served.
