By Bilesanmi Abayomi
A Lagos-based lawyer, Inibehe Effiong Esq, has leveled serious accusations against the Ogudu Police Station, operating under the jurisdiction of the Area H Police Command Ogudu. Effiong claims that the station displayed unprofessional and accusatory behavior during a high-profile case.
Effiong’s allegations were detailed in a statement posted on the verified Blue app on Saturday, in which he criticized the conduct of the police station and highlighted inaccuracies made by the Force Public Relations Officer (PRO) regarding a petition by Erisco Foods Limited against Chioma Edoka.
The lawyer, in his statement, expressed his dismay at a video where ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Force PRO, made what Effiong described as “inaccurate and baseless comments” regarding the case. Specifically, Adejobi claimed that Chioma Edoka, Effiong’s client, was unable to provide information about where she had purchased Nagiko tomato mix, implying a level of guilt. However, Effiong asserted that this claim was misleading and not representative of the facts.
Effiong clarified, “The three officers who came from Abuja to arrest my client in Lagos asked her at Ogudu Police Station where she bought the product from. She told them the market where she bought it and even offered to take them to the woman who sold it to her. The officers refused to go with her to the market.”
Furthermore, Effiong contested other allegations made by the Force PRO, including the accusation that Chioma Edoka accused Erisco Foods Limited of using their product to harm consumers. He also raised concerns about a purported letter of apology obtained from his client under duress.
He firmly stated, “The truth of this case is that the police are not interested in the investigation. They just want to massage the ego of a big man; a billionaire for that matter with a large pocket. Right from the Ogudu Police Station to the Force Headquarters, the officers were utterly unprofessional, blatantly biased, and accusatory in their conduct. They had reached their conclusions before interviewing Chioma.”
Effiong’s allegations underscore the need for transparency, fairness, and professionalism within the Nigerian police force. He concluded by saying, “The promises of police reform will remain a mirage as long as the police continue to mishandle cases like this.”