Following the alleged beating of
a Lagos based lawyer, Sunday Elimihe, by police officers attached to the
Onipanu Division, Lagos State Police Commissioner, Fatai Owoseni, has ordered
the arrest and detention of the officers involved for questioning.
The 42-year-old lawyer is said to
be receiving treatment in a hospital following injuries sustained during
the beating. While narrating his ordeal from his hospital bed, Elimihe claimed
the policemen also stole his N150, 000 in his vehicle’s pigeon hole after they
assaulted him.
“On my way from Lekki where I went to check a
property with my client, I decided to use the Onipanu Police Station road, by
Apata. Immediately I drove into the street close to the station, one Corporal
Alonge stopped me and demanded for my vehicle particulars. I gave them to him,
after which he demanded for my driver’s licence, which I also gave to him. When
he discovered I did not commit any offence, he asked for my tinted glass permit
which I gave him. He told me I was using a forged tinted glass permit. I told
him I could not have forged a police document as a lawyer. He became furious
and said he was going to arrest me. He jumped into my vehicle and insisted I
must give him N1, 000 to bail myself. I said I was not going to give him any
money since I have not committed any offence. He pounced on me and cocked his
gun threatening to shoot me. Another policewoman who sighted us came and
dragged the gun from him. The policeman after being disarmed descended on me
and gave me the beating of my life. He pushed me into cell and another
policeman locked up the cell and beat me for 30 minutes. I see this as
intimidation of the highest order, not because I am a lawyer, but because I am
an average Nigerian. I was treated like a common criminal.”