The trial of four police officers accused of extorting ₦1 million from three National Youth Service Corps members in Lagos has commenced, with the victims providing testimony.
The Lagos State Command Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed that the corps members appeared at the Command Headquarters to give their testimonies and present more evidence against the officers.
“The corps members were at the Command Headquarters today to give their testimonies and present more evidence. The trial is progressing well. Further updates will follow in due course,”
Hundeyin stated.
He urged the victims to visit the Complaint Response Unit at the State Headquarters to continue their testimony.
The corps members were brought to the police station by Mrs. Christiana Salmwang, NYSC Lagos State Director, alongside the Corps’ legal officer, Barrister Otosinloba Onilenla, and other officials.
The police officers allegedly extorted ₦1 million from the NYSC members after stopping their vehicle in the Surulere area of Lagos. The officers were said to have searched the vehicle and taken the corps members to Area C Police Command, where the extortion took place.
One of the corps members explained that the officers initially asked for ₦10 million but eventually settled for smaller amounts after checking their phones and bank accounts. “They snatched my phone, went through my messages and pictures, and asked where I got the money for the car. They demanded ₦10 million, but I told them I didn’t have that much. Eventually, I transferred ₦100,000, and my friend was forced to transfer more money,” the corps member said.
The officers also forced another corps member to transfer Bitcoin worth $842.
Hundeyin previously confirmed that the officers involved had been identified and were under interrogation. The trial is ongoing, with the Lagos State Police Command promising updates as the case progresses.
