Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
A group, Bail Is Free Campaign, has called for the redeployment of the Edo State Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika citing his inability to deal with the issues of alleged extortions of citizens of the state.
The group made the call while embarking on a peaceful protest in Benin.
The protesters were equipped with placards of various inscriptions that read thus, “Stop the unlawful detention, we demand accountability and transparency, stop police extortions and others.
Addressing journalists, the Director General of the group, Comrade Oni Edigin alleged that the Commissioner of Police lacks the ability to direct the affairs of the command, especially when it comes to the alleged extortions of the citizens of the state and so, he should be redeployed.
“Our major challenge is not just the CP. It is chronic. I mean all the tactical teams, all the DPOs and some of the Area Commands, they are all accomplice in this matter. So, we need a reformation. The CP doesn’t have that capability and professionalism to handle Edo State.
“We have tested him. A CP who will tell you is either you leave the money or I will prosecute the erring officer and our complainant, does that make sense? We just come to you for justice and you are giving us conditions. Justice doesn’t have conditions. It simply stands for fairness, equity and transparency”, Edigin said.
He alleged that the association has done its best in sensitizing the public on their rights across the 18 local government areas of the state, telling them that bail is free, yet, suspects and their relatives are still being exploited by the police whenever they seek bail for the suspects being held by the police.
He said they have also donated stationery to the police to ensure that suspects are not asked to pay for anything but all was to no avail.
“We have even given the police what they call writing material, stationery, on our own, to the tune of millions, to the police, we have all evidence but instead, what we have seen is a verbal detention”, Edigin alleged.
Comrade Edigin added that the Nigerian police have failed to stick to the section 4 of the Police Act as it prescribed them to detect and prevent crime, respect human rights and fundamental freedom but what they are seeing is that, the Nigerian police are now creating crime.
He however gave the Edo State Commissioner of Police 21 days ultimatum to right the wrongs in his command or be prepared to face series of protests in the state.
Contacting the state’s Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eno Ikoedem, for comment, she demanded the question being sent to her WhatsApp as she complained of poor network.
However, she was yet to respond to the question sent to her as at press time.