The police officer who allegedly killed Kolade Johnson, a soccer fan, in Lagos on March 31, has been dismissed by the Nigeria Police Force.
Disclosing this, Lagos Police Command Spokesman, Bala Elkana, said the judgment was served in an orderly room trial by the Command.
He said: “The two police officers, alleged to have been involved in the shooting of Kolade Johnson on March 31, 2019, were apprehended and subjected to internal disciplinary proceedings, known as Orderly Room Trial by the Command.
“The Orderly Room trial commenced on Monday, April 1, 2019 and ended on Thursday, April 4, 2019.
“They were tried on three-count charge (1) Discreditable Conduct (2) Unlawful and Unnecessary Exercise of Authority and (3) Damage to Clothing or Other Articles, contrary to Paragraph E (iii), Q (ii) and D (i) First Schedule, Police Act and Regulations, Cap 370 LFN 1990.
“The trial started with the reading of the charges and taking of plea. Five witnesses testified. At the conclusion of the trial, the first defaulter, Inspector Ogunyemi Olalekan, was found guilty of discreditable conduct by acting in a manner prejudicial to discipline and unbecoming of members of the Force by shooting and killing Kolade Johnson; unlawful and unnecessary exercise of authority using unnecessary violence by using AK 47 rifle on the deceased in total neglect to the provisions of Force Order 237 on the use of firearms.
“The Adjudicating Officer, CSP Indyar Apev, awarded the punishment of dismissal from service and prosecution to the first defaulter. There was no evidence linking the second defaulter, Sergeant Godwin Orji, to the shooting, he was, therefore, found not guilty and discharged and acquitted,” Elkana said.
Lagos State Police boss, Mr Zubairu Muazu , condoling the deceased’s mother
Johnson, a soccer fan who was the only child of his parents and a father of one, was shot dead on March 31 in Lagos by stray bullets from a police officer of the Anti-Cultism Squad, while watching a football match at a viewing centre, an action which attracted wide condemnation in the country.
The killing spurred the nation’s highest law making body, the Senate, to accelerate efforts to pass the Police Reform Bill “to ensure that the Police Force is more efficient and responsive to the needs of all Nigerians.”
In fact, the Senate President, Dr Bukola Saraki, announced that the Report of the Police Reform Bill would be laid before the Senate by the Senate Committee on Police Affairs next week Tuesday.
Reacting to the incident, Saraki said that the 8th Senate remains committed to the Police Reform Bill.
He made this comment as part of a series of tweets in reaction to Johnson’s killing.
His words: “My heartfelt prayers are with the family and friends of Kolade Johnson, the young football fan who was allegedly killed by men of the Nigeria Police in Mangoro/Onipetesi community in Lagos.
“Issues like the senseless killings, assault, and extortion of everyday Nigerians by some ‘bad apples’ in the Police Force is what prompted @NGRSenate to introduce and fast-track the progression of the #PoliceReformBill.
“I have also been in contact with the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Police Affairs and I am pleased to announce that the Report of the #PoliceReformBill will be laid by next week Tuesday.
“Make no mistake, the 8th Senate remains committed to the passage of the #PoliceReformBill to ensure that our Police Force is more efficient and responsive to the needs of all Nigerians.”
According to eyewitnesses, a police team which stormed Olu Aboderin Street at Onipetesi in Ikeja to arrest a suspected cultist, had released sporadic shots into the air after picking their target and one of such bullets hit Johnson, an only child, said to be watching Liverpool match at the time.
The policemen were arrested and detained after the incident, while police spokesman Bala Elkana on Tuesday disclosed that the state police boss, Zubairu Muazu had paid a condolence visit to the family.
He said the police boss reassured the family that justice would prevail.
