Inspector detained for murder hangs self in Lagos

Okon Essien, a police inspector accused of extra-judicial killing, has committed suicide

The policeman hanged himself on Wednesday in a cell at the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, Panti, Yaba.

A source who pleaded anonymity told our reporter that Essien was brought to the SCIID on Tuesday for allegedly killing a man at the Dangote refinery.

Essien, who was arrested along with three others, was briefly interrogated by detectives and put in the cell for further questioning the following day.

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However, the suspect was reported to have used his pair of trousers to hang himself.

Another police source said the cop was allowed to wear his trousers into the cell because he was still in his uniform.

The source stated, “People sometimes ask why suspects are asked to remove their clothes before entering the cell; this is just one of the reasons. A suspect, who committed a capital offence, may feel that instead of going through the stress of trial, he could just end his own life. That is why the police always ask people to take off their clothes.

The state Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, visited the SCIID on Wednesday to see things for himself.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Bala Elkana, confirmed the incident, adding that the inspector killed himself to avoid trial.

He said, “On February 5, 2020, around 1.30am, one Inspector Okon Essien, detained in the SCIID cell, Yaba, for allegedly shooting and killing one Hassan Stanley, was reported to have killed himself.

“The suspect was arrested at Akodo on January 31, 2020, around 2.40am alongside three of his colleagues namely, Inspector Lawrence Adegboye, Inspector Olorunloju Olusegun and Sergeant Ovbioghi Joseph

While in custody, the said Inspector Okon Essien was alleged to have killed himself. His corpse was deposited in the mortuary for autopsy.

“The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, Hakeem Odumosu, has ordered an in-depth investigation into the case. Investigation is ongoing.”