As Nigerians engaged in a tug of war against the Police, a member of the Police Community Relation Committee (PCRC) at the World Bank Housing Estate in Owerri, Ogumba Onyeaghala, has decided to add more fuel to the already burning fire.
Onyeaghala has accused the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of the New Owerri Police Division at the Imo State Police Command, CSP Abideen A. Salawu, of sexual assault.
According to reports, the DPO faces accusations of sexually assaulting, harassing, and intimidating policewomen and female members of the public who report cases at his division.
The Petition
Onyeaghala, filed a petition to the Chairman of the Police Service Commission.
This petition also got to the Inspector General Kayode Egbetokun, and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, detailing these allegations.
The petition revealed that CSP Salawu took his position at the New Owerri Division about five years ago.
Since then, he has been involved in numerous misconducts.
Many of his misconducts are particularly targeted at women police officers who have “been dying in silence.”
Chief Onyeaghala’s petition claims that CSP Salawu often favours women in legal disputes.
This favours are aimed at gaining sexual favours.
The Police Station
This alleged behaviour has led many residents of the World Bank Housing Estate to avoid the New Owerri Police Division.
They prefer reporting to the Umuguma police station or the Area Commander’s office in Owerri.
The petition further asserts that CSP Salawu maintains a hotel room and a flat in Owerri.
The said properties are for his personal use.
However, he often stays at the station to exploit policewomen, both married and unmarried.
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Some female officers, feeling intimidated, have reportedly recorded him during these encounters.
A critical point in the petition is the allegation that CSP Salawu requested the Imo State Commissioner of Police, Danjuma Aboki, to transfer all personnel from the New Owerri Division to bring in new female officers.
This request was purportedly to target those who were not submissive to him.
This request reportedly reached human rights advocates.
They alerted Mrs. Chioma Uzodinma, the wife of the Imo State Governor.
However, despite her call for CSP Salawu’s removal, a senior officer intervened, claiming Salawu was his benefactor.
Although the DPO received a serious warning, he allegedly retaliated by beating Inspector Juliet Ubalaka.
He even threatened further transfers and diabolical actions.
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