The Ekiti State Police command said that it would soon come up with the report of its investigation into the alleged assault on a woman by policemen at a checkpoint in Ado Ekiti.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Abdullahi Chafe, disclosed this while presenting some suspects to newsmen in Ado Ekiti on Sunday. He dismissed insinuations that plans were in the offing to shield the officers involved from being prosecuted if found wanting. Chafe said that the ongoing investigation would address the claim by the woman that the policemen on duty at the said checkpoint impounded $750 found on her during the encounter.
He said that the command was determined to expose anyone found to be directly or indirectly involved in the act.
“We will soon address the press on the outcome of our investigation on the incident, even as we are trying our best to ensure that justice is done to both sides.
“No one will be spared or covered; we have not been covering any policeman and the case at hand will not be an exception.
“But let me assure that police do not engage in cover-ups of its men found wanting in cases such as this, contrary to beliefs.
“The recent case of Apo six in Abuja, in which some policemen were arrested, dragged to court and later sentenced to death, is a clear example.
“It is however unfortunate that in Nigeria, some people who had long formed negative impression about the police never see anything good in them,” he said.
Chafe said that those protesting on the streets against the police over the matter never cared to make any inquiry before making up their minds.
The commissioner said that the police top management had never taken issues like this kindly, adding that such officers were always shown the away out of the force if found guilty.
Mrs. Toyin Adeyeye, a nursing mother, was allegedly beaten by policemen on March 19 at a checkpoint in Ado Ekiti for alleged refusal to give bribe to the police men. She was also detained along with her nine-month-old baby overnight at the police station. The police claimed that the woman slapped one of the policemen at the checkpoint and also tore his uniform.
The woman and her husband said that the police version was concocted. Governor Ayodele Fayose also promised an enquirer on the incident.
