After an automobile accident at the Car Park C area of Mowe, in the Obafemi-Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State, a man named Oyibe Michael has expressed regret over what he claims were demands from some police officials for N100,000 in order to file a report on his behalf.
In an interview with the media on Monday, Oyibe stated that when he was executing a U-turn, his automobile struck a commercial bus, resulting in damage. The officers then showed up to take pictures and drove the car to the Mowe Divisional Police Station.
“I made photocopies of our car documents as instructed, and we were asked to write a statement,” he stated, adding, “but the commercial driver was given preferential treatment despite his inability to present documents.”
“The owner of the commercial vehicle requested N100,000 in damages, which I declined because, in accordance with Federal Road Safety Corps officials with whom we filed a complaint, the reparation fee ought to be split equally between the two parties involved as it is an accident. The policemen supported the commercial driver even after my friend informed them that the driver was operating the vehicle while intoxicated, but they avoided him.”
Oyibe told reporters that the following day, he called the insurance company to ask for help, but one of the requirements was for him to provide a police report, which he requested right away.
According to a senior officer, the police report amounts to N100,000. Afterwards, I spoke with two separate policemen who gave me the same estimate and directed me to a female inspector to allay my concerns.
“The inspector indicated that although the report is worth N100,000, the least she could take in to assist me would be N50,000. She will even compose it and provide it for the DPO to sign. Then, I asked to speak with the DPO directly, but she turned me down,” Oyibe stated.
“My car has been in the police’s custody since October 13, and I cannot release it until I repair the commercial bus,” Oyibe continued.
“I can’t afford the N100,000 that the insurance company is requesting for the police report so they can cover the damages.”
Upon being contacted, Omolola Odutola, the spokesperson for the Ogun State Police Command, stated that a police report was an official necessity and that it was often paid for; nevertheless, she found the fee that the officers charged peculiar.
“It is an official report that the police provide to the public, verifying the events that occurred. Money is available for that.
“The complainant should report to our office at Abeokuta; I am not aware of the price,” Odutola stated.