The Lagos State Police Command on Wednesday, arraigned a businessman, Ebube Eddy popularly known as Bebex on three counts of conduct likely to cause breach of peace, indecent assault and assault.
Eddy, aged 37, was arraigned alongside one Ali Musa, aged 27, before Magistrate Olufunmilayo Odubayo of the Samuel Ilori Court House, Ogba.
NPO had on Tuesday reported that, the Commissioner of Police in Lagos, Idowu Owohunwa directed the removal of a Divisional Police Officer over allegations of sexual harassment made by a woman identified as James Omolara.
Omolara had claimed that Bebex molested her while some policemen also took money from her before they effected the arrest of Bebex
“Bebex is his name, he sells spare part in ladipo Market. This evening I went to junction to get food for me and my kid, I fasted so I just wanted to break and this was the way I dressed to the junction.”
Omolara narrated that, on her way coming back, Bebex called her and asked her to name her price.
According to her, she was confused by the manner Bebex approached her
“Name your price, I want to touch those things that you are holding. I was like what am I holding do you want the food okay this is the food and he said no don’t you need money he said I should come that he should help me manage them. I told him that am a married woman and he said that don’t I need money that does my husband have money, I insulted him and left.”
She quoted Bebex to have ordered someone “Ali” to slap her and she was like slap me for what and then he (Ali) slapped her after which some elderly people came to her rescue.
She quoted Ali to have threatened to beat her and “nothing would happen”.
“They snatched my phone and my chain because my phone was in my hands. I just bought it because of the kind of job am doing. Then, he went to call his police and he was like shouldn’t pass through there that all was a matter of money that there is nothing money can’t resolve,” Omolara had earlier narrated
In the second video believed to have been recorded under duress, she said, “My name is James Omolara, the woman about the molestation issue with bebex.
“That was not really what happened, It was out of anger that made me make that video. What really happened was that I was coming back from where I went to get my food, he was just admiring me. He told me to bring the food in my hand and I misquoted him because I was angry before.
“Yes! that’s the truth. He was playing with me and I took it wrong.
“It was his guys that slapped me, he didn’t touch me he didn’t beat me, out of anger that was what made me do the video. So, I’m very sorry for that guys.”
However, in his swift reaction to the video and to curb such attitude on the street of Lagos, the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Idowu Owohunwa invited the two sides to his office on Tuesday through which he was able to establish the truth.
Having established the truth, the Commissioner ordered the immediate removal of the Divisional Police Officer whose personnel were also accused of involving in the matter by collecting money from Omolara.
“The CP also identified professional misconduct on the part of some of the police officers involved in the case. For this, the Command Provost has been directed to immediately commence disciplinary action against the officers concerned.
“CP Owohunwa orders the immediate removal of the DPO of Olosan Police Station with immediate effect for the arrest of the culprits and those responsible for forcing her to debunk the allegation.
He added that, the alleged sexual abuser, Bebex, had been detained he’s expected to be arraigned in court tomorrow.
“Lagos Commissioner of Police, Idowu Owohunwa has directed the Gender Department to take over the case.
“CP Owohunwa has also directed the Provost to investigate all Police Officers involved in the collection of money from the nursing mother before following her to effect the arrest of the culprits and those responsible for forcing her to debunk the allegation.”
However, on Wednesday, when the matter was called in the court, the police prosecutor, C. Olagbayi told the court that the charge sheet was signed by DSP Abimbola Williams and urged that it be read to the defendants.
Count 1: “that Eddy and Musa on the 20th of April, 2023 at about 20:00 at Mercedes Benz Line, Ladipo Market, Mushin, Lagos did conspire among yourselves to commit felony to wit: conduct likely to cause breach of peace and assault and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
Count 2: “that Eddy on the same date time and place did conduct yourself in a manner to cause breach of peace by making moves to indecently assault one Omolara James aged 26 by wanting to touch her breast and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 168(d) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
Count 3: “that Musa on the same date, time and place did assault one Omolara James by slapping her on her face thereby and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 170 and punishable under Section 172 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.
After the counts were read to the defendants, they both pleaded not guilty.
Their counsel subsequently asked that they be granted bail as it was within their constitutional rights.
Magistrate Odubayo granted both defendants bail in the sum of N100,000 each with two reliable sureties who must be within the courts jurisdiction and have about 15 years working experience with the Lagos State Government.
Both defendants must also submit to the court evidence of payment of tax till date, LASRRA identification and the court must certify that they meet the bail conditions before they can be released.
The case was then adjourned to May 15th for further hearing.
It was however gathered that the defendants were unable to meet the bail conditions and have been remanded at the Nigeria Correctional Service, Kirikiri, Lagos.