Brutality: Police Sack, Hand Over Kolade Johnson’s Killer for Prosecution

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News Friday, April 5th, 2019

By Tajudeen Balogun, Lagos

(AFRICAN EXAMINER) – The Nigeria Police authority has sacked its officer, an Inspector, Ogunyemi Olalekan who killed last Sunday, a 36-year old man, Kolade Johnson at Onipetesi, Mangoro, Ikeja area of Lagos.

The Adjudicating Officer, in the Orderly Room trial which commenced sitting Monday, April 1 and ended Thursday April 4, 2019, CSP Indyar Apev, ”awarded” the punishment to the first defaulter – Inspector Olalekan.

In a statement issued by the Lagos State Police Command Spokesman, Bala Elkana, the sacked Police officer has been subsequently handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Panti, Yaba, for prosecution in conventional court.

However, the Police ‘shadow’ trial held that there was no evidence linking the second accused – ”defaulter”, Sergeant Godwin Orji, to the shooting which killed late Johnson.

Consequently, the Orderly room trial ”discharged and acquitted” him.

According to the statement, the suspects ”were tried on three-count charges: (1) Discreditable Conduct (2) Unlawful and Unnecessary Exercise of Authority and (3) Damage to Clothing or Other Articles contrary to Paragraph E (iii), Q (ii) and D (i) First Schedule, Police Act and Regulations, Cap 370 LFN 1990. The Trial started with the reading of charges and taking of plea.

”Five witnesses testified.

”At the conclusion of the trial, the first defaulter, Inspector Ogunyemi Olalekan was found guilty of discreditable conduct by acting in a manner prejudicial to discipline and unbecoming of members of the Force by shooting and killing Kolade Johnson; unlawful and unnecessary exercise of authority by using unnecessary violence by using AK 47 rifle on the deceased in total neglect of the provisions of Force Order 237b on the use of Firearms.

The Adjudicating Officer, CSP Indyar Apev, awarded the punishment of dismissal from service and prosecution to the first defaulter.”

It will be recalled that late Johnson was killed by alleged strayed bullets, last Sunday evening at a Football viewing centre, in Ikeja area.

The brutal killing has attracted wide condemnation from many Nigerians.

President Muhammadu Buhari has vowed this week that the killers would not be spared.