A senior police officer, Lawrence Adedigba has been accused of rascality and being a threat to the lives of his neighbours.
Monday, January 27th 2014, the Resident Association of Aderibigbe and Mbanugo streets, Ikate, Surulere, Lagos has written a letter to the Divisional Police Officer, Aguda Station, alleging that apart from using his position as a police officer to intimidate them, the policeman also sells vehicles illegally on the street, thereby attracting criminals in the area.
The letter, signed by the secretary of the association, Yinka Adebayo, reads in part:
“There are reports in recent times of trouble caused by a resident at 47 Aderibigbe Street, Ikate, identified as a police officer in collaboration with his wife. After thorough investigation, we discovered his vehicles were using fake number plates which were alternated with abandoned ones he kept on the street.”
“Our security men and residents have often complained that he poses a security risk. It is absolutely unacceptable for a police officer to abuse his position by intimidating fellow residents. We therefore appeal to your exalted office of authority for swift intervention.”
The policeman’s landlord, Taiwo Igbalajobi, reportedly described the policeman as an unpleasant tenant, adding that he had reported Adedigba to the police authorities countless times, but nothing had been done.
It was gathered that the the landlord’s wife, Bose had also written a petition against Adedigba, addressed to the Inspector General of Police. Bose claimed that the policeman, who is attached to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Yaba, had threatened to kill her on several occasions.
The petition read in part, “The genesis of the threat started in February 2013 when I discovered that ASP Lawrence Adedigba usually brings motorcycles, generators and televisions into the compound at midnight which I later discovered to be property seized from people.
“After I reported the matter at the Aguda Police Station, my life has been under threat as the policeman has threatened to kill me.”
Bose reportedly said that the policeman beat her up and tore her clothes in public last week.
It was learnt that Adedigba denied all the accusations levelled against him, claiming they are falsehoods.
He reportedly said, “That woman (Bose) has been nothing but trouble in the neighbourhood. She is just out to taint my image. She has reported me several times to the police authorities. Nothing was ever done because investigations proved that I was innocent.
“How can I beat a woman? It is because of the lies that she told against me that was why the CDA wrote a petition against me. I am a responsible and law-abiding citizen.”
