The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has sanctioned three officers namely, Insp. Festus James, Insp. Edet Edem and Constable Akpan Lawrence for professional misconduct, following a viral video that sparked public outrage.
DSP Timfon John, the command’s Public Relations Officer in a statement said they were sanctioned “in line with the command’s commitment to discipline, accountability, and respect for citizens’ rights,” adding that the officers were subjected to an orderly room trial to ensure justice was served.
The two Inspectors were reduced in rank to Sergeants while the Constable was given a major entry and placed on one month extra fatigue duty.
She said they were charged with Discreditable Conduct, Unlawful and Unnecessary Exercise of Authority.
According to her; after “a thorough and fair trial, the Adjudicating Officer found them guilty accordingly.
“The Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, upon reviewing the proceedings, upheld the judgment and further sent the proceedings to the AIG zone six who also upheld the outcome of the proceedings.
“The Commissioner of police, Akwa Ibom State Police Command further expressed that the Nigeria Police Force under IGP Kayode Egbetokun, remains committed to upholding the rule of law and ensuring officers conduct themselves with professionalism.
“The Command assures the public that no act of misconduct will be tolerated, and erring officers will always be held accountable.
“Citizens are encouraged to report any incidents of police misconduct through the Command’s official channels,” she said.
It would be recalled that the female student of Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic in a video that surfaced on social media, narrated how she alongside her friends was brutalised by the police in Ikot Ekpene and money extorted from them.
She said they were only allowed to go home around 12 midnight after being kept at the police station for several hours.
In the video, she was pleading with the relevant authorities to save the students from constant harassment and extortion from the police.
Following the video which went viral, students of the polytechnic staged a protest which attracted the attention of the state police command.
* Media Report