The two policemen seen on camera assaulting a lawyer, Olukunle Karimu, at the orders of his employer have been arrested.
A video had gone viral on Wednesday showing the policemen slapping around Mr. Karimu after they were invited by the employer, one Oluyomi Olawore, who claimed Karimu held him hostage in his office.
However, Karimu was said to have gone to the office to demand payment of his salary and other allowances.
The video caught the attention of the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, CP Edgal Imohimi, who constituted an investigation panel to look into the allegation.
Findings into the case revealed that the officers in the video are not SARS operatives as alleged, but conventional policemen attached to Lion Building Police Station who were invited to the chambers of Olawore & Co of No 28/30 Macarty Street, Lagos Island by the managing partner, Barrister Oluyomi Olawore.
The said Barrister Oluyomi Olawore sent a distress call to the police through one of his junior partners, requesting that he be rescued from another junior partner by name Barrister Olakunle Kareem whom, he alleged, held him hostage.
It was based on the complaint that the DPO in charge of Lion Building dispatched policemen to the troubled chamber to bring the feuding lawyers over for interrogation.
However, the Commissioner of Police, observed with dismay that the policemen sent to the scene were not at their professional best. He has therefore ordered that the officers, who have since been arrested, be tried on oath.
They risk stiff punishments for their actions. The CP also directed that Divisional Police Officer in charge of Lion Building be queried for lack of supervision.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Commissioner of Police, SCIID Panti Yaba has been directed to take over the investigation of the case and critically look into the matter concerning the two lawyers with the view to diligently prosecute both or any one of them found wanting.
