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The Nigerian police has received a stern warning over its handling of Busola Dakolo Vs Biodun Fatoyinbo case.
Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo and Busola Dakolo
A human rights movement under the aegis Coalition of Public
Interests Lawyers and Advocates (COPA) on Monday warned that the
Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, should shelve his plan to
transfer the trial of Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo of Commonwealth Zion
Assembly (COZA) from Lagos, a report by Daily Post has revealed.
While demanding that trial of the allegation of rape must not be
moved to Abuja for Fatoyinbo’s sake, COPA Convener, Pelumi Olajengbesi
said keen observation of the processes being undertaken by the police on
the matter revealed “a lack-luster and suspicious plot underfoot to
give a soft landing to the suspect” and transfer the case to Abuja.
COPA, which spoke through a statement by its Convener, advised that
priority must also be given to the security and convenience of the
vital and primary witness and Fatoyinbo’s rape victim, Busayo Dakolo.
He reminded the police that a valid and active warrant of arrest
against Biodun Fatoyinbo had yet to be executed, adding that the police
would be setting itself up for ridicule and suspicion, “and are in themselves in gross contempt of their oath of office and duties as enforcers of civil and criminal discipline”.
The statement reads: “The recent adverse developments in the
matter of the rape allegation against Biodun Fatoyinbo of COZA by Busola
Dakolo which has the tendency to imperil the thoroughness of the
investigation underway has necessitated this Press Statement.
“You will recall that following the intense public outcry by
individuals and groups, the Nigeria Police Force was moved into action
to call, interrogate and make findings on the rape allegations against
Fatoyinbo. However, our keen observation of the processes being
undertaken by the Police Force on this matter reveals a lack-luster and
suspicious plot underfoot to give a soft landing to the suspect.
“We have noticed with displeasure the usual mischievous moves
that have come to characterize the Nigeria Police Force in the past
whenever it is set to deliberately or negligently mess up a case of such
importance.
“We do hereby state emphatically that the Nigeria Police Force
is not handling the Fatoyinbo rape allegation with the urgency and
seriousness it deserves. This is wrong, condemnable and very much in
disregard of the need to ensure that justice is done in the matter
regardless of whose ox is gored.
“On June 27 2019, even before it was made known to the media,
Mrs Busola Dakolo filed a petition against popular Abuja-based pastor,
Biodun Fatoyinbo of COZA, at the Office of the Assistant Inspector
General of Police in Alagbon, Ikoyi.
“Ordinarily, given the publicity, the matter has generated, one
would have thought that the Nigeria Police will swing into action and
build the confidence of the Nigerian People that the Force is dependable
and up to the task of rooting out the truth of the matter. It is not
without great surprise and disappointment that we have noticed sinister
moves by the Force with the intention maybe to undermine the truth.
“Going further, a warrant of arrest was issued to secure Mr.
Biodun Fatoyinbo to answer questions in line with the Police
investigation. Unfortunately, nothing has been done and Fatoyinbo has
continued to walk freely without reporting to the Police station.
Instead of arresting him for proper interrogation, the Police have now
changed gear after days of filing the complaint with the victim now
being unduly pressurized to relocate to Abuja or to fly to Abuja
everyday as the Nigeria Police Force intend to transfer the matter here.
This is unacceptable.
“We totally reject all attempts by the Inspector General of
Police to unduly transfer the matter to Abuja where the accused is
resident. This is like giving the accused person a red carpet treatment
when he should actually be thoroughly investigated. Though we
acknowledge the fact that the IGP have the administrative discretion to
transfer matters to any division or jurisdiction for proper
investigation, we make bold to say that same must be exercised
judiciously and professionally.
“It must be noted that priority must also be given to the
security and convenience of the vital and primary witness, which in this
case is Mrs. Busayo Dakolo.
“We call on the IGP to drop his personal interest in this
matter, where any, and allow justice take its full course as a respecter
of no one. We have sufficient information that the IGP has taken
personal interest in the case as Mr. Biodun Fatoyinbo has influenced him
into redirecting the case to Abuja where it would most likely be
suffocated and dropped.
“Our demands are simply that the matter be allowed its due
course within the jurisdiction where the complaint was filed.
Transferring the case to Abuja from Lagos where it was originally filed
prejudices the complainant while extending a kid’s glove to the accused
who perhaps feels too connected to deign to go to Lagos to answer to the
serious allegations against him.
“We are vehemently opposed to such a move and demand that this
matter be thoroughly investigated and the accused invited to the place
of domicile of the victim especially given the matter was filed there.
“Let it be abundantly clear that we are sufficiently conscious
of the law in matters of jurisdiction as to investigation and
prosecution of criminal matters. In this matter, investigation can take
place in Lagos, Nigeria and if any place should be given premium
attention, it is the place of residence of the victim to aid and
facilitate proper information needed by the police and not the place of
residence of the accused.”
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