The Ogun State Police Command on Tuesday redeployed the embattled Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Sagamu, John Mark, to the command’s headquarters, Eleweran, Abeokuta, and put in place a six-member committee to investigate allegations of extortion against him.
The deployment of the officer was the fallout of a petition and protest by a member of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Yinka Mafe, who accused the DPO of extorting members of the public.
Mr. Mafe, the majority leader at the assembly, on Monday organised a protest against the police officer in Sagamu, with some residents storming major streets of the town clamouring for Mr. Mark’s removal.
The police had earlier accused the lawmaker, who represents Sagamu 1 Constituency, of 15 criminal offences, including cultism.
However, in a statement Tuesday, the Ogun Police Command Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, said DPO Mark had been redeployed to allow “smooth” investigations to be carried out.
“The Commissioner of Police Ogun State, Abdulmajid Ali, has ordered immediate redeployment of the embattled Divisional Police Officer Sagamu Division, CSP John Mark, to the Command Headquarters, Eleweran Abeokuta,” the statement reads.
“The Commissioner has constituted a powerful six-man committee, led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Department of Finance & Administration and 2i/c Command DCP Celestine Okoye, to investigate the allegations against the DPO and the concerned Hon member of Ogun State House of Assembly, Hon. Yinka Mafe, and forward its report within one week from date.
“The Committee is expected to carefully X-ray the remote and immediate cause of the brouhaha vis-a-visa allegations and counter allegations in the said matter so as to set the record straight.
“The Commissioner therefore wishes to assure the general public that the Command will not tolerate any act of corruption or unprofessionalism or/and inappropriate behaviour that can damage the image and reputation of the Force,” the release explained.
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