Posted by By SUNDAY ABORISADE on
THE suspected hoodlums arrested on the property of the late Peoples Democratic Party chieftain in Ibadan, Oyo State, Alhaji Lamidi Adedibu, are to remain in police custody on the orders of an Ibadan Magistrate‘s Court sitting in the Iyaganku area of the city.
THE suspected hoodlums arrested on the property of the late Peoples Democratic Party chieftain in Ibadan, Oyo State, Alhaji Lamidi Adedibu, are to remain in police custody on the orders of an Ibadan Magistrate‘s Court sitting in the Iyaganku area of the city.
The Police Public Relations Officer in charge of the state command, Miss Olabisi Okuwobi, who stated this in an interview with our correspondent on Saturday, said they were charged for stealing and robbery.
Okuwobi explained that further hearing on their case would resume on July 8.
At least, 94 persons were arrested by the police last month at a hemp smoking joint located within Adedibu‘s property at Molete, which the police described as a black spot serving as a hideout for notorious armed robbers in the state.
The police had last week, released 32 out of the suspects because "victims of their alleged criminal acts did not offer useful information that could lead to their prosecution."
The Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of the Federal Criminal Investigations Department, Mr. Taiwo Lakanu, told journalists on Thursday that some of the suspects were released for want of evidence against them.
The commissioner of police in charge of the state command, Mr. Bashiru Azeez, also said that there was no way the police could take the suspected criminals to court without evidence from victims who could give evidence against them.
He said, "It is true that some of the suspects had been identified by the police as hardened criminals whose names had featured prominently in robbery operations in the state.
"We cannot, however, commence their prosecution because victims of their actions were not forthcoming with proofs that can assist the police. I am therefore challenging victims of their criminal acts to come forward and help us in our investigation.
"I‘m assuring the public that we are going to sustain our current war against crime as we will continue to take the battle to the den of the robbers and pick them up before they strike."
On the alleged extortion of money from suspects before they were freed, the commissioner said the matter was being investigated and challenged anyone with useful information that could establish that fact to contact him.
He said, "I have warned my officers that the issue of raid must be not be turned to a money making venture. I will ensure a zero tolerance corruption strategy that would expose all cases of extortion and harassment of innocent members of the public."
The commissioner pledged to revisit all illegal operations carried out by thugs, who allegedly carried out orders from top politicians in the state against some innocent people.