The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has continued to keep mum over its investigation into Owolabi Akinolu, a policeman accused of raping a 17-year-old girl in his office in June.
The Lagos Police Command stated in July that they had arrested 56-year-old Akinolu.
This statement came after a report published in the same month claimed the policeman, attached to the Area H Command in the Ogudu area of Lagos, took advantage of a girl who visited his office to report a matter.
On August 21, FIJ published a report about the police’s silence on the investigation. Five days later, Muyiwa Adejobi, the NPF spokesman, issued a statement after Nigerians reacted to FIJ’s story.
Via X, Adejobi told Benjamin Hundeyin, the Lagos Command spokesman, to update Nigerians because the police were silent for too long.
READ MORE: Lagos Police Transfer Investigation of ‘Rapist’ Policeman Owolabi Akinolu to Abuja
Adejobi said, “Benjamin Hundeyin, make sure you update Nigerians on the outcome of the investigation. By now, you should have a report of the investigation, most especially the medical report. That is key. Our silence on the matter is not too okay.”
Reacting to the public demand, Hundeyin told Sahara Reporters two days later that the Lagos Command had handed over the investigation to the Abuja headquarters.
“The suspect’s disciplinary report has been forwarded to the force headquarters for further necessary action. We await feedback. Kindly note that a serving police officer cannot be prosecuted unless he or she has first been dismissed from service,” Hundeyin said.
That was the last time the police publicly commented on the investigation.
On Sunday, Adejobi sent a text message to FIJ which read: “His file has been sent to Abuja for further process. I will find out the position of the file and the matter tomorrow.”
The post 4 Months on, NPF Still Quiet About ‘Rapist Policeman’ Owolabi Akinolu’s Probe appeared first on Foundation For Investigative Journalism.