Lawyer Wants ForceCID To Take Over From Zonal Command Over Improper Investigation

Lawyer Wants ForceCID To Take Over From Zonal Command Over Improper Investigation

A Lagos-based lawyer, Joe Nwokedi, has appealed the Inspector-General of Police, to transfer his client’s petition from the office of Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 2, Onikan, Lagos, to the Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department (ForceCIID) Alagbon-Ikoyi, Lagos, due to alleged improper investigation by the Zonal Command.

Nwokedi, a Principal Partner and Head of Firm for Interveners and Joe Nwokodi Solicitor, stated in a petition dated January 22, 2020, said the called for the transfer of his client, Mr. Ademola Oni, was sequel to an alleged unprofessional conduct of the head of Zone’s IGP Monitoring Team, Mr. Taofeeq Tijani, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP).  

The lawyer in the petition captioned: “complaints against CPS Tijani Taofeeq of the IGP Monitoring Unit, AIG Zone ll Onikan Lagos State, for abuse of office and gross misconduct against our client, Mr. Ademola Oni, of 22, Ina Obasi Street, Ogudu G.R.A, Lagos State”.

He claimed that the CSP Tijani’s actions has led to immense trauma and predicament his client, Ademola Oni, is currently experienced.

Nwokodi’s petition reads in parts: “our client informed us (and we truthfully believe him) of the immense trauma and predicament he is currently undergoing in the hands of C.S.P Tijani Taofeeq. Our client’s ordeal, according to him is premised on the matter he has with his Landlord, Mr. Sammy Olaniyi, with respect to the apartment our client rented at No. 22, Ina Obasi Street, Ogudu G.R.A, Ogudu, Kosofe Local Government Area, Lagos State. 

The briefs of the matter is that our client was a tenant of the property of Mr. Sammy Olaniyi, where he lived for couple of years before our client’s properties which were valued over N150, 000, 000, (One hundred and fifty million Naira) only were vandalized and 100th in the premises.

“Our client reported the matter at the Area Command of the Nigeria Police Force at Ogudu, Kosofe Local Government Area, Lagos State. The Police Officers at the Area Command found the landlord (Mr. Sammy Olaniyi) culpable of the allegations of the vandalization of the properties as reported by our client and ordered that he should be charged to court. 

“While the Police Officers at Ogudu Area Command were trying to put necessary things in place in order to charge the matter to court, the suspect (Mr. Sammy Olaniyi) swiftly transferred the matter to Zone ll, Onikan, Lagos, where he boasted that he will deal with our client because of his knowledge of one Police Officer. It was on this note, that our client was invited by Zone ll, Onika over the same issue. 

“When our client (still the complainant) went to Zone ii, Onikan, to further deal with the issue. C.S.P Tijani Taofeeq started insulting our client, calling him various derogatory names. And shamelessly asked our client how he believed he can fight and win a case against a rich man‘ It was at this point that our client recalled that CSP Tijani has been compromised in this matter. Despite all these, our client persistently told C.S.P Tijani Taofeeq and his team to proceed to the suspect’s (Mr. Sammy OIaniyi) place and investigate the allegations brought against him but C.S.P. Tijani and his team has refused to do so”. 

The petition which was copied to Honourable Commissioner, Public Compliant Commission; National Human Rights Commission and Police Service Commission, reads further: “Surprisingly, our client got information from a reliable source that CSP Tijani Taofeeq of Zone 11 and his Team have moved his belongings to Zone I], Onikan, Lagos State and confiscated same. On learning this, our client quickly made an enquiry as to what were taken from his apartment (5 bedroom duplex) and discovered that all his belongings had been vandalized and looted. 

“Our client’s cars, furniture, valuables, documents and materials were all taken by C.S.P Tijani and his team, even while the same matter is pending in court, as a tenancy matter at Ogudu Magistrate’s Court. 

“Our client later learnt that most of the items allegedly taken away from his apartment by C.S.P Tijani and his team never found their way at Zone ll, Onikan Lagos State as they were stolen by CSP  Tijani and his men. He has been trying to charge our client to court in a matter which our client still remains the complainant just to satisfy his orgy of bias and compromise in the matter. 

“In view of the above and other numerous illegalities and unlawful activities of CSP  Tijani, we therefore call on the Inspector General of Police to conduct a full blown investigation into the gross misconducts of C.S.P Tijani and his uncountable acts of abuse of his power as a Police officer. If C.S.P Tijani is not adequately dealt with, in respect of his shameful conducts and fraudulent activities as a Police Officer, he will continue to exhibit his unwholesome acts and actions that jointly cast a bad image against the Nigerian Police Force. 

“We shall also be urging you sir, to conduct an independent random investigation into the nefarious activities of C.S.P Tijani at various Police stations in Lagos State and so as to discover his high level of notoriety in conducting his duty as a Police Officer CSP Tijani has plethora of complaints against him at ForceCIID Headquarters Annex at Alagbon, Lagos State, as we as other Police Stations within Lagos Slate and its environs”.

When this medium contacted DSP Hauwa Idris-Adamu the Zonal Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), said the officer in question, CSP Tijani, has been transferred out of the of zonal office. While also pleaded for more time to deal with the petition. 

However, calls and messages put to the PPRO as at the press time were not return.