A spare part dealer in the Ladipo market, simply identified as Bebex has been charged to court on the orders of the Lagos State Commissioner of Police (CP), Idowu Owohunwa, for allegedly assaulting a married woman and nursing mother.
Also, the Mushin Divisional Police Officer (DPO) has been redeployed from his position.
The State Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday after a meeting the CP had with the stakeholders in the case.
Hundeyin disclosed that Owohunwa, who ordered the removal of the DPO for the shoddy manner in which his men handled the case when it was first reported at the station also ordered that disciplinary action be taken against all officers who handled the matter.
The married woman, one Omolara James in a video that went viral on social media at the weekend, accused Bebex of alleged harassment and assault.
James in the video said Bebex sexually harassed her and tried to induce her with money and that when she did not succumb to Bebex sexual advances, he ordered his boys to slap her, even after she informed him she was married.
She further claimed in the video that as she tried to stand up for herself, Bebex called some policemen to defend him.
In a twist that raised suspicion, James later released another video, in which she recanted her earlier allegations, saying she lied against Bebex.
This drew the attention of many and there were insinuations that she may have made the second video under duress.
This got to the attention of the CP, who had to reopen and take over the case.
To ensure justice and a fair hearing, the CP personally interviewed all parties in the case, which are James, Bebex, their lawyers, the landlord association and community members among others.
Hundeyin disclosed that at the end of the engagement, the CP was convinced that Bebex has a case to answer and that the policemen who handled the case engaged in professional misconduct.
The CP, who ordered the immediate prosecution of Bebex also directed the Command Provost to commence the process of disciplining the policemen involved in the matter.
Hundeyin wrote: “CP Idowu Owohunwa, having carefully listened to all parties, has established that there are indeed cases to answer and has therefore directed that the matter be charged to court immediately.
“The CP also identified professional misconduct on the part of some of the police officers involved in the case.
“For this, the Command Provost has been directed to immediately commence disciplinary action against the officers concerned.
“And finally, the DPO Mushin, in whose division all the officers aforementioned are serving, has been relieved of his posting with immediate effect.”
