GMP makes ‘substantial payout’ for false charge
A MAN has been handed a ‘substantial’ out-of-court settlement from Greater Manchester Police after being ‘unfairly treated.’
Akinwale Arobieke sued the Chief Constable of GMP for malicious prosecution and misfeasance in public office and has now received the payout weeks before the trial was due to take place at Manchester County Court. In his civil claim against GMP, he alleged he was targeted by two particular officers, who are not being publicly named, from 2012.
One is now a senior officer in the same force and the other officer cannot currently be named for legal reasons. Mr Arobieke, from Merseyside, alleged that after taking issue with him attending an event, those officers embarked upon a campaign against him, making false allegations that he had harassed one of the officers, which culminated in the charge and prosecution.
Mr Arobieke successfully defended himself at the trial of harassment in 2013. He instructed the Liverpool firm, James Murray solicitors, to assist him with pursuing GMP for compensation for misfeasance in public office and malicious prosecution.
Mr Arobieke said: “This has been an ordeal from the outset of the allegations against me and the many years that my civil action has taken to conclude. It has caused me a great deal of anxiety and upset.
“I want to publicly thank Lee Massingham of James Murray solicitors and Stephen Simblet, for their services in pursuing my case and securing me a substantial settlement from GMP”.
Mr Massingham said: “Mr Arobieke has been unfairly treated for many years particularly after a draconian Sexual Offences Prevention Order was made against him.
A spokesperson for GMP said: “We can confirm GMP has settled the claim brought by Akinwale Arobieke and won’t be commenting further.”