The Nigerian Police have dismissed the Inspector who shot and killed 36-year-old Kolade Johnson, in Lagos on Sunday.
Insp. Ogunyemi Olalekan, was dismissed and handed over for prosecution after an Orderly Room Trial which found him guilty of discreditable conduct among others.
The Police however, discharged and acquitted a second officer who was tried alongside Olalekan, Sgt. Godwin Orji for lack of evidence linking him to the heinous crime.
A statement by the police spokesperson in Lagos, Bala Elkana, said the Orderly Room Trial which lasted between Monday and Thursday found Olalekan guilty of killing Johnson.
Recall that the police officers were arrested for killing Kolade, a football fan, as he was leaving a public viewing centre in the Mangoro area of Lagos State.
The incident drew a lot of public outcry and condemnation. It also reignited the agitation to scrap the SARS.
Below is the full police statement
UPDATE ON THE TRIAL OF THE POLICE OFFICERS ALLEGED TO BE INVOLVED IN THE SHOOTING OF KOLADE JOHNSON…SUSPECT HANDED OVER TO CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION DEPARTMENT, PANTI FOR PROSECUTION
The two Police Officers alleged to have been involved in the shooting of Kolade Johnson on 31/03/2019 were apprehended and subjected to internal disciplinary proceedings, known as Orderly Room Trial by the Command.
The Orderly Room trial commenced on Monday 01/04/2019 and ended on Thursday 04/04/2019.
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They were tried on three-count charges: (1) Discreditable Conduct (2) Unlawful and Unnecessary Exercise of Authority and (3) Damage to Clothing or Other Articles contrary to Paragraph E (iii), Q (ii) and D (i) First Schedule, Police Act and Regulations, Cap 370 LFN 1990. The Trial started with the reading of charges and taking of plea.
Five witnesses testified.
At the conclusion of the trial, the first defaulter, Inspector Ogunyemi Olalekan was found guilty of discreditable conduct by acting in a manner prejudicial to discipline and unbecoming of members of the Force by shooting and killing Kolade Johnson; unlawful and unnecessary exercise of authority by using unnecessary violence by using AK 47 rifle on the deceased in total neglect of the provisions of Force Order 237b on the use of Firearms.
The Adjudicating Officer, CSP Indyar Apev, awarded the punishment of dismissal from service and prosecution to the first defaulter.
There was no evidence linking the second defaulter, Sergeant Godwin Orji, to the shooting. he was, therefore, found not guilty and discharged and acquitted.
The First defaulter, Inspector Ogunyemi Olalekan, is handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, for prosecution in conventional Court.
