The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Adegoke Fayoade, has directed an investigation into the bribery accusation against Epe Divisional Police Officer, Godwin Okoruwa.
The command has also instructed Okoruwa to temporarily step aside during the ongoing investigation, as disclosed by the state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Humdeyin, via his account @BenHundeyin on Monday.
This response came following a publication titled, “Lagos DPO Queried For Accepting N2m To Release Suspected Armed Robbers.”
Reportedly, Okoruwa was alleged to have accepted a N2m cheque from a local monarch in Epe to release four suspected armed robbers apprehended by detectives during a stop-and-search operation.
However, Humdeyin clarified that CP Fayoade initiated an investigation and ordered Okoruwa to step aside pending its conclusion.
In the midst of this, PUNCH Metro’s investigation revealed a police source denying any bribe reception by Okoruwa and emphasizing that the suspects had already been transferred to the headquarters the same day they were arrested.
The source also highlighted ongoing issues between the monarch and Okoruwa, questioning the credibility of the bribery claim.
While addressing the situation, the police source urged the hierarchy to thoroughly investigate the matter, emphasizing the importance of shielding a police officer from unjust consequences due to social media pressure.
Meanwhile, the state PPRO, Hundeyin, confirmed the incident occurred on Thursday, involving six suspects, and affirmed the force’s commitment to sanction officers engaging in misconduct, as demonstrated by the recent identification of three officers in Lagos demanding a tinted glass permit without proper identification and uniforms.
