The panel set up by the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, to investigate the alleged rape of a female detainee, Idowu Akinwunmi, by the former Divisional Police Officer, in charge of Onikan Police Station, SP. Adekunle Awe, while she was in his custody, is yet to get to the root of the matter.
Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Umar Manko, disclosed this on Wednesday while fielding questions from journalists in his office at the command, Ikeja.
Manko said: “The rape is still an allegation. I was not around when it happened, but I have been briefed. I can however assure you that the panel set up by the IGP is working hard to get to the root of the matter. I believe that at the end of the investigation, the truth will come to light!
On Tuesday, there was a wild spread report that Awe had been granted bail, but a senior police officer, who had been following the case and in touch with Awe said: “The DPO is still in our detention. He is at Area F cell as I am speaking with you now. It’s not possible to release a man with such a magnitude of allegation bothering on rape. Just go to his cell and tell policemen on guard that you’re his sister and wants to see him, they would bring him out. You’ll see him for yourself! This case has generated global attention and the Nigeria Police Force does not handle such cases with levity. After this panel, Awe would be moved to Abuja, to face another panel.”
Meanwhile the Network on Police Reforms in Nigeria (NOPRIN), a nongovernmental organization in charge of the case, yesterday wrote a petition to IGP, urging him not to allow the matter to be swept under the carpet like previous cases of offenders.
NOPRIN’s national coordinator, Okechukwu Nwanguma said: “ In many documented cases of police misconduct or abuse of citizens’ rights, the tendency- and in fact, the reality- is to cover up and shield the perpetrators from accountability and thus, denying the victims justice.”
He was worried that eight days after Awe was arrested and detained by the Lagos State Police Command on the directives of the Inspector General of Police for raping the victim, the panel was yet to conclude investigation.
His words: “Despite the clear evidence of the DPO’s culpability, the investigating team empanelled to investigate the case is yet to conclude investigation and make their findings public.
“The Lagos State Police PRO, Ngozi Braide- who is a member of the team investigating the rape case- was quoted last week as saying that the investigation will be concluded and the findings made public after Easter.
There is no reason to continue to delay the conclusion of investigation and taking the necessary disciplinary measures.
“This is one case that a cover-up will not be accepted by members of the pubic who are anxiously waiting and looking up to the IGP to make a resounding statement through prompt and appropriate action.”
He further noted that the public was also anxiously watching to see what will become of the case of the Police Mobile Officer identified as Corporal Nasir Mohammed whom the Lagos State Police Command confirmed his arrest and detention after he was caught on video brutalising a lady inside muddy water.
“NOPRIN calls on the Inspector General of Police to expedite action and ensure that the police officers indicted in these cases of rape and brutality are appropriately dealt with in accordance with the law,” said Nwanguma.