Police manipulating trial of power-drunk cop ─ Tortured couple

The police have been accused of manipulating the orderly-room trial of a policeman, corporal Dada Ogunsanya, who tortured a Lagos couple in the Lekki area of Lagos State.One of the victims, Ejeh Smith, told PUNCHMetro that the policemen on the panel were in support of the power-drunk cop during the trial at the state command headquatres in Ikeja.Ejeh said some of the policemen even tutored Ogunsanya on what to tell them that would give him a soft landing in the case.PUNCH Metro had reported on Wednesday, December 10, 2014, how Ejeh and his wife, Grace, were tortured by the corporal while they were on their way home in a cab.Our correspondent had reported that Ogunsanya shone his torch on the couple, who protested, saying the inner lights of the cab were on.It was alleged that in a fit of rage, the police corporal hit Ejeh with the butt of his rifle in the eye and stepped on his wife’s stomach.The Ikoyi DPO, Aisha Haruna, was alleged to have arrived at the scene and backed Ogunsanya’s action.The police had assured that justice would be done in the matter.Ejeh said the police had just begun the orderly-room trial of the policeman, adding that the police officers superintending the trial were biased.He said, “Since the incident happened, that Monday would be my first time of meeting with Ogunsanya again.“He came and begged me that it was the devil’s work and that I should forgive him. But I said it was no more about me because Nigerians had become interested in the case.“During the orderly-room trial, the policemen on the panel said we should make our statements again. Later the policemen said it was because we fought with Ogunsanya that he used his gun to hit us.“When Ogunsanya asked me a question, they told him that he didn’t frame his question well, and they helped him to polish it.“I wanted to record the proceeding so that Nigerians can hear everything, but they told me I was not permitted to record because I was in their court.”Ejeh explained that at the end of the trial, an appointment was made for his wife, Grace, to equally appear before the panel.The Lagos Command spokesperson, DSP Kenneth Nwosu, said, “The trial is ongoing. Let him not have any anxiety or fear.“The trial will be unbiased, professional and transparent and everybody concerned will have justice especially Mr. and Mrs. Smith.The Commissioner of Police is not interested in anything except that justice is done. Whatever verdict comes out at the end of the day will be submitted to the appropriate authorities.”

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