Ex-cop paraded over armed robbery
The police in Edo State yesterday paraded an ex-police officer, Cpl Michael Eriarebhe, for alleged involvement in armed robbery despite being on court bail for another offence. Eriarebhe, who hails from Igueben LGA of the state, was paraded alongside 19 other suspected criminals arrested for various crimes in the state. Parading the suspects, the state […]
The police in Edo State yesterday paraded an ex-police officer, Cpl Michael Eriarebhe, for alleged involvement in armed robbery despite being on court bail for another offence.
Eriarebhe, who hails from Igueben LGA of the state, was paraded alongside 19 other suspected criminals arrested for various crimes in the state.
Parading the suspects, the state Commissioner of Police, Johnson Kokumo, said the ex-police officer was arrested for armed robbery and was dismissed from the force after investigations.
“He went through orderly room trial and was dismissed. I found him not worthy of the Nigeria Police. There is pendency of a criminal charge against him in court. He is on court bail and like a leopard that never changes its spots, was arrested for another criminal activity,” he said
Speaking with journalists, Eriarebhe denied being an armed robber as claimed by the police authority. He said, “I am an ex-police officer, I have an issue with the police of which they charged me to court and also dismissed me from the service. But I was later granted bail. When I came back, I went to Aduwawa to see my friend but I didn’t meet him, I saw one inspector whom I begged for money and he gave me N2,000. I begged him to increase the money and in the end he gave me N5,000,” he said
The suspect said as he was leaving, the people around told the police that he was no longer in service, adding that they called the Aduwawa police station and he was arrested and brought to the state command headquarters as an armed robber.
“At the command, the DC said it is robbery case because he has general hatred for me. How can it be robbery without violence? The man gave me the money freely and willingly because he thought I was still in service. I am calling the officer who gave me the money to confirm that he gave me money but he is not forthcoming.
“How can it be robbery? I did not use force. I did not slap or forcefully take the money; he gave me the money on his own. The complainant did not show up till now, yet the DC said it is a robbery incident. I know justice must prevail in the end,” he said.