…Esinrogunjo narrates ordeal with Police, vows to seek legal redress
The Police in Kwara State, on Sunday, reacted to viral video footage depicting the scene of a man identified by The Informant247 Nigeria News to be the Special Assistant to the State Governor on Rural Mobilisation, Comrade Musibau Esinrogunjo, being interrogated by some police officers over the alleged recovery of some quantities of substance suspected to be Indian hemp and a cartridge wrapped in a paper.
In the 45-second clip that has gone viral across social media platforms, Esinrogunjo, who was dressed in a shirt, was seen kneeling and trying to defend himself after he was accused of being in possession of drugs and cartridges.
At a point in the video, it could be observed that the governor’s aide, despite his appeal, was being slapped and beaten by individuals presumed to be police officers.
The video has since elicited reactions, with many demanding investigations into the matter.
SP Ajayi Okasanmi, the command’s spokesperson, in a statement, however, denied that the governor’s aide was arrested with bullet and weeds as depicted in the video, while also condemning the release of the footage which he said was done by mischievous individuals.
Explaining what transpired, the police spokesperson said, “What actually transpired in the day was that, the man in the video later identified to be one Musibau Esinrogunjo was caught committing a traffic offense by driving against traffic, thereby causing a serious traffic hold-up at NYSC Secretariat junction, Ahmadu Bello Way, Ilorin.
“The traffic warden on duty who arrested him for the offence was dealt a slap by Mr Esinrogunjo and his aide, which drew the anger of passersby around the vicinity. They attempted to physically assault him but for the prompt arrival of police officers that rescued and took the parties to the police Headquarters, the closest police Formation to the scene. A search conducted in the vehicle of Mr Esinrogunjo resulted in the recovery of a substance suspected to be Indian hemp and an item that looked like a cartridge wrapped with charm.
“The incident was looked into by a very senior police officer in the command, Esinrogunjo was later identified to be special assistant to the state governor. He was warned to desist from such behavior in the future. The traffic warden assaulted by the Esinrogunjo was pacified and asked to go back to his duty post while Esinrogunjo was also released.”
He clarified that at no time was Esinrogunjo arrested for being in possession of weeds or bullets, adding that it was a case of driving against the traffic and physically assaulting a policeman that brought him to the Police Headquarters.
He furthered that the physical assault on Esinrogunjo was from aggrieved passersby that followed the parties to the Police Headquarters and the men were arrested, reprimanded and equally released.
He insisted that the command has nothing to do with the video in circulation.
“The video was posted by mischief makers, as such should be disregarded, the source of the video is also undergoing investigation,” he said.
Esinrogunjo, when contacted by The Informant247, meanwhile confirmed that the footage in circulation is authentic, adding that he was neither in possession of hard drugs nor bullets.
Explaining this side of the story, he said, “On that day, I was on my way to the state government house. I had a misunderstanding with a traffic officer at the junction close to the government secretariat. The misunderstanding almost led to physical combat before people around intervened and I left the scene for the state government house to attend a meeting I was having with the governor. I met with the governor for about 30 minutes.
“It was after the meeting and I was about going out of the government house that I was accosted by about 30 officers who said I was under arrest, dragged me to the police headquarters, and started beating me. I was beaten by police officers.
“They brought out some substance and placed it in my hand while they film. I was detained before people from the government house came to bail me the second day.”
Esinrogunjo, who denied any wrongdoing, vowed to seek legal redress on the issue.