Taskforce team leader, others arrested for alleged sexual harassment, bribery

Etim Ekpimah 

The Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit (Taskforce) has arrested one DSP Popoola Kayode and other members of his team for alleged sexual harassment and extortion of N100,000 from one Didi Ekanem. 

The state environmental taskforce said the money was remitted into Kayode’s account via a bank transfer before a vehicle that had been impounded by the task force was released to its owner, Didi Ekanem. 

A statement signed and made available to journalists on Sunday by the Head of Public Affairs Unit of Lagos State Task Force, Adeboya Taofiq, noted that Kayode and his men had been queried by the chairman of the Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Unit, adding that they would be sent back to the state police command for further disciplinary actions. 

Taofiq had stated in the statement that the Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit (Taskforce) was aware of a motorist, Didi Ekanem accusing the state taskforce commander of making sexual advances at her, which was published on Page 31 of Sunday Punch on November 22, 2020. 

“Sequel to the report, the chairman of the agency, CSP Olayinka Egbeyemi immediately investigated the matter and discovered that the vehicle (Venza APP 775 GJ) was impounded for driving against traffic (one-way) around Lekki – Ajah Expressway by the enforcement team of the agency on Wednesday, 18^thNovember 2020. 

“The investigation revealed further that the vehicle was impounded and brought to the agency’s car park at Alausa, Ikeja. 

“The Leader of the team DSP Popoola Kayode who is not the ‘Commander’ of the agency as quoted inside the report collected the sum of N100,000 via bank transfer on his account before he released the vehicle to the owner (Didi Ekanem). 

“The leader of the team and his members of the team have been arrested and queried by the chairman, while they would be sent back to the Lagos Police Command for further disciplinary actions,” the statement added. 

The agency thereby warned motorists particularly private car owners and motorcycle operators to desist from driving against traffic (one-way) as anyone caught would be charged in the Lagos State Mobile Court for prosecution. 

Egbeyemi warned members of the public to stop inducing officers with money and be reminded that both the giver and receiver are liable in law. He added that it is the only court that pronounces traffic fines and money paid into government purse. 

The agency, however, urged members of the public to always report any corrupt officer who engages in shady deals thereby spoiling the image of the agency for disciplinary actions.