The policeman caught soliciting a bribe from a motorist in a video that went viral two days ago has been dismissed from the Nigeria Police Force.
Lagos State Police command on Wednesday confirmed the dismissal of a Police Sergeant, Chris Omeleze for demanding the sum of N25, 000 from a motorist.
The orderly room trial of Omeleze, attached to the Lagos State Motor Traffic Division,MTD who was caught on video demanding for bribe, which began on Tuesday, culminated in his dismissal yesterday.
The command spokesperson, Ngozi Braide confirmed the dismissal, saying “yes, he has been dismissed”.
She added that the police authorities would soon decide on further action against him.
The Sergeant with Force number 192954 was reportedly found guilty at the end of the trial, following incontrovertible evidence against him.
The Sergeant was reported to have arrested a motorist who was returning from the airport, for contravening traffic rules.
He reportedly entered the vehicle, threatening to take the motorist who was with a female passenger to the station.
However along the line, he reportedly demanded for the sum of N25,000 from the motorist to free the offender, with the motorist said to have offered the sum of N2000, pleading that he had only N500 on him, an offer the policeman reportedly refused.
However, unknown to him, the negotiation was being recorded on video.
The motorist was said to have been taken to the entrance of the station where the Sergeant continued the negotiation, claiming that he was not the only one involved.
All entreaties by the motorists and the passenger who were said to be on their way to Ajah fell on deaf ears as the Sergeant insisted on N25,000.
Later that day, the video clip went viral on social media, prompting the Inspector-General of Police to direct the Lagos State Police Command to fish out the policeman and carry out an orderly room trial on him.
The video clip as gathered, was used during the trial where the Sergeant was said to have been dumb founded and appealed to be given a second chance..
In the video footage, the encounter between the dismissed officer and the motorist went thus;
Policeman: Once we enter this compound now(police station), I no go follow you talk
Motorist(pleading): I don’t have N25,000
Policeman: OK. Talk better thing now, make you go your way, make you go your Osborne
Motorist: (Protests again) I don’t have more than N2,000
Policeman: Ok (sighed). Oh.. (quiet)
Motorist: If you want to help me, must I pay N25k?
Policeman: I know sir, I know you cannot raise N25,000. But talk something reasonable
Motorist: (Female passenger) I told you I just got my ticket now. You want me to show you. My ticket is in the car.
Policeman: Wait now… What you are saying is very far… Add something reasonable to that. Make you go your way. I know there is no how you can raise N25k; a guy like you.
Motorist: Oga, a man like me… oga
Policeman: And moreover, I am not working alone. Look, if you enter this compound (police station), you will pay bigger money.
Motorist: You know I won’t stand on that ground and risk saying bigger amount when I don’t have. I don’t have…
Policeman: I am not working alone
Motorist: I don’t live here. I came here to collect something. I have N5000 on me. If I cannot at least… I’m going to Ajah. I’m coming back to Airport tomorrow. How do you want me to do it?
Motorist (Female) I’ve told you .. should I show you my ticket?
Policeman: Wait… No be $50, $20 and other dollars dey with you?
Motorist: (Female): I have told you I’m paying for excess luggage. That was why I offered you…
Policeman: All that $50 dollars – you want to use for excess luggage… you dey speak grammar; by the time when speak (sic) no dey for two of us, you go see my own. Add something to that money.
Motorist: I don’ have
Police: You don’t have ….(sighed) pause…
Motorist: So you cannot help me because I cannot put small money to it….. to that N2,000 (silence for some moments)