Police officers at Akodo Police Station in the Eleko area of Lagos have released Lekan Olaoye, the car owner detained for two days after rescuing an accident victim, and his vehicle.
On Tuesday, FIJ reported how Olaoye was denied bail for two days because the police officers, including Thomas Orire, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of the station, insisted on taking a bribe before he could be released.
Olaoye was freed the same Tuesday night and asked to return the next day to get his vehicle.
“When I returned there the next day, the Police didn’t even stress me at all,” Olaoye told FIJ. “In fact, when one of the police officers jokingly asked me to bribe him, the IPO quickly cautioned him.
“I didn’t imagine myself spending two days in the cell but the victim’s friends outsmarted me by reporting the accident to the police before me. Thankfully, you intervened and I sincerely appreciate it.”
READ ALSO: For Refusing to Pay N50,000 Bribe, Lagos Police Detain Man Who Rescued Accident Victim
Olaoye was detained on Sunday evening when a commercial bike rider ran into his car on Epe expressway. The bike rider, it was gathered, ran away while his passenger was rushed to a nearby hospital. The passenger’s friends later reported the accident to the Police and Olaoye was arrested.
When FIJ contacted them on Tuesday, the DPO in charge of the station and the Investigating Police Officer (IPO) handling the case denied the allegation that they demanded a bribe to release Olaoye. However, they refunded the sum of N50,000 already extorted from him after the call.
Police officers have released several illegal detainees after a phone call with an FIJ reporter. Many have also been released after FIJ’s stories.
READ ALSO: Policemen in Lagos CP’s Office Demand N500,000 to Release Illegal Detainee after 5 Days
Section 35 (4) of Nigeria’s 1999 constitution provides for the arraignment of any person detained within 24 hours when a court of competent jurisdiction is within a radius of 40 kilometers to the police station or two days in any other case.
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