'Unprofessional' Lagos command indicts two policemen over Tina murder

The Lagos State Police Command said on Monday that investigation into the killing of a teenager, Tina Ezekwe, revealed that the conduct of two police officers, Assistant Superintendent of Police Theophilus Otobo and Inspector Oguntoba Olamigoke, fell short of professional standards.

It had been reported that many Nigerians went on the social media on Friday to demand justice for Tina, who was allegedly killed by a trigger-happy policeman in the Iyana Oworo area of the state on Tuesday.

The state Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, ordered an in-depth investigation into the circumstances surrounding Tina’s death.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Bala Elkana, had stated that two police officers suspected to have carried out the shooting were arrested and subjected to internal disciplinary proceedings, adding that if they were found culpable, they would be prosecuted.

In a statement on Monday, Elkana said investigation revealed that the conduct of the police officers fell short of professional standards, adding that Otobo had been queried and would appear before the Force Disciplinary Board in Abuja.

He added that Olamigoke was subjected to orderly-room-trial at the state command provost’s office.

Elkana stated, “Recall that on May 29, 2020, the state Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, ordered an in-depth investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of Tina Ezekwe in the Iyana-Oworo area of Lagos State. Investigation so far revealed that the conduct of the two police officers, ASP Theophilus Otobo and Inspector Oguntoba Olamigoke, who were linked to the incident, fell short of professional standards.

“In view of the above, the command has commenced internal disciplinary proceedings against the two officers. While the ASP has been served an official query in line with the provisions of the public service rules, Inspector Oguntoba Olamigoke is undergoing an orderly-room trial at the state command provost’s office.

“The ASP will be appearing before the Force Disciplinary Board sitting in Abuja, whose recommended punishment will be forwarded to the Police Service Commission for approval.

“Meanwhile, the CP assures all stakeholders that as soon as the internal disciplinary proceedings have been duly exhausted and the culpability of the indicted officers established, they will be arraigned.”