Lagos CP Fayoade Sacks DPO For Detaining Lawyer Seeking Client’s Bail

Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Adegoke Fayoade

Eko Hot Blog reports that the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Adegoke Fayoade, has sacked the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Gown Estate Division, Austin Arase, for ordering the unlawful arrest of a lawyer seeking his client’s bail.

The Lagos Police Command’s spokesperson, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, announced the development in a statement on Tuesday night.

Punch had reported last Thursday that Lagos-based lawyer, Olumide Sonupe, was hospitalised after he was detained by the police while seeking the bail of his client at the Moshalashi Police Station in the Alimosho area of the state on December 30, 2023.

Sonupe accused Arase of trying to slap him before ordering his arrest.

The situation prompted CP Fayoade to direct investigations into the allegations against the DPO.

Hundeyin disclosed that the investigations have concluded and the commissioner has decided to remove Arase “pending a review of his case by other supervisory authorities.”

Lagos-based lawyer, Olumide Sonupe on a hospital bed

CP Fayoade also directed the OC Legal of the Command to initiate steps to reach out to the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Lagos State Branch to enable a round table discussion towards preventing a recurrence of the incident.

“Following the conclusion of investigations into the allegations made against the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Gown Estate Division, as published in Punch Newspaper of January 4, 2024, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Adegoke Fayoade, mni has ordered the immediate removal of the DPO pending a review of his case by other supervisory authorities,” the statement reads.

“The CP had earlier ordered a thorough investigation into the matter upon receipt of the publication.

“CP Fayoade has equally directed the OC Legal of the Command to initiate steps to reach out to the Nigerian Bar Association, Lagos State Branch to enable a round table discussion towards preventing a recurrence of the avoidable incident and enhancing better police-lawyers relationship.

“The Lagos State Police Command, under the stewardship of CP Fayoade, will continue to uphold the rule of law, while not hesitating to sanction any officer found engaging in unprofessional, unethical and discreditable conduct.”

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Philip Ibitoye

Philip Ibitoye is a journalist who boasts more than five years of experience reporting the news. He is an Editor at Eko Hot Blog.