4 SARS operatives dismissed, charged with robbery, kidnapping
Four policemen attached to the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS), Lagos State Command have been dismissed from the force over alleged robbery and other crimes.
They are sergeants Adeoye Adekunle, Adeniran Adebowale, Agbi Lucky and Odighe Hehosa.
The Assistant Inspector-General in charge of the Zone 2 Command, Adamu Ibrahim, upheld the recommendation of a police disciplinary body that recommended the dismissal of the four policemen. The policemen have also been charged to court on offences of armed robbery, kidnapping, unlawful detention, intimidation and violent threats.
Their dismissal was sequel to a petition by one Mr Chukwudi Godwin Odionye, popularly referred to as ‘Bishop’ on May 2, 2018. The petitioner stated that on June 4, 2017, he was in his house at Alagbado, Lagos, when the four armed men came in to effect his arrest on an allegation of performing fake miracles.
He stated that after his arrest, he was taken to a hotel at Agege where he was detained and threatened with death if he failed to cooperate. He explained further that on June 5, 2017, he was taken to a bank where he was made to transfer N7 million from his account to one of the operatives’ account.
On the receipt of the petition, the AIG ordered investigation into the case after which it was discovered that no proper police procedure for investigation was followed in Odionye’s arrest.
The four SARS operatives, it was said, merely abducted their victim from his house and unlawfully detained him in the hotel for personal gains.
The policemen were subsequently found guilty during orderly room trial for professional misconduct, corrupt practices and discreditable conduct.