A 25-year-old banker, Mr. Ogidan Bolaji, was assaulted by a police officer identified as Kayode Ojo, on Wednesday for urinating outside the premises of his bank, Stanbic IBTC in Sango Ota, Ogun State.
Bolaji, who is seeking justice on the matter, reported the case at the Sango Police station but claims the police officers there are trying to cover up the case.
In an interview with reporters, he disclosed that he had alighted from his car to make withdrawal from the bank’s ATM when he decided to ease himself.
“I was coming from Ifo with a neighbour but on our way, I discovered I was cash-strapped, and needed to make a withdrawal. So, we stopped by at Alisaba, in Ado Odo Ota where the bank is located.
“We parked outside their premises and on getting to the ATM, the security guard said there was no network.
“I was so pressed that I had to urinate beside my car. Before I knew it, a policeman, came out and without any questioning, hit me with his rod. I asked him what I did wrong, but instead of a reply, he slapped me.
“The man in my car and some other security men around the bank came out to intervene. My neighbour was trying to question the policeman on why he slapped me but instead of answering the enquiry, he cocked his gun and pointed it at me, and I had to run away.
“I told people to caution him not to fire a shot. I was just a bit unfortunate that he caught me at a close corner and I did not have an escape route. He used the butt of the gun to hit me on my face and I sustained a deep cut.”
He said he was rushed to a hospital because he could not go to the station with a blood-stained face.
After treatment, Ogidan said he reported at the Sango Police Station but was disappointed as the police asked him to settle the matter with the police officer.
He said, “The police changed the story and said I and my friend were drunk, and we were peeing around the whole premises without having any transaction in the bank, which were all lies.
“At the end of the day, the police said we should go and settle and the police officer should pay my hospital bill.
“We were also forced to make a statement of withdrawal. I don’t want this matter to die like this because I have been harassed unjustly.”
Reacting to the incident however, the Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, told reporters that “If they disappointed him in Ota, he should have gone to the Commissioner of Police. It is if the CP disappoints him that he should approach the press for justice. We should try to educate our people. I can’t confirm the story because I am not aware of it. Let him come to the command and I will personally investigate it and make sure he gets justice.”
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