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Nigeria Police Force spokesman, Olumuyiwa Adejobi
The Nigeria Police Force on Wednesday defended its decision to dismiss Inspector Edith Uduma for gross misconduct and her involvement in the alleged rape case of a 17-year-old female suspect by Sergeant Abraham Uzuobo in Edo State.
Uduma’s dismissal followed the circulation of a viral video she recorded in October, showing Uzuobo in a compromising position with the teenager at a police station in South Ibie, Edo State.
A statement by the Force spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, noted that Uduma’s dismissal was necessary and based on thorough investigations, pointing out her failure to follow due process.
He added that the former inspector attempted to conceal the offence for personal gain.
Adejobi said, “However, it has come to the attention of the Force that following her dismissal, Mrs Edith has made numerous unfounded claims regarding her innocence and has sought to taint the reputation and integrity of the adjudicating authority, the Inspector-General of Police in person, and the entire Police Force.
“It is imperative to set the record straight and provide clear context regarding her actions and the decision to dismiss her from service. The dismissal of former Police Inspector Edith Uduma was not only justified but necessary, based on thorough investigations that presented irrefutable evidence of her failure to follow standard incident report protocol to immediately document the incident, attempt to conceal an offender for benefit, participation in extortion and manipulating the justice process for personal gain.”
Adejobi said she was the Charge Room Officer on duty on the day the incident happened.
He added that a thorough investigation into the matter conducted by the Edo State Police Command uncovered that Uzuobo had removed the victim from the cell and taken her to an unoccupied office, where he attempted to engage in sexual acts with her.
Adejobi said during the act, Uduma walked in and recorded the act instead of immediately making a documented entry on the matter in the Incident Record of the station, which was under her charge.
“During the act, Uduma had walked in and recorded the act. However, instead of immediately making a documented entry on the matter in the Incident Record of the station which was under her charge, and thereafter reporting the incident to the Divisional Police Officer for disciplinary actions to be initiated against the erring officer, she took advantage of the situation to enrich herself by calling her husband, Ibrahim Mohammed, who was also a Police Inspector, both of whom conspired to unlawfully demand the sum of N1,000,000 from the Sergeant to assist him in concealing the matter,” Adejobi said.
Uzuobo, however, only paid ₦45,000, prompting the couple to escalate the matter by reporting it to the DPO and releasing the video online.
“Dissatisfied by his refusal to follow through with the blackmail, they decided to report the erring officer to the DPO and also simultaneously shared the video on social media,” Adejobi stated.
He added, “Everyone culpable in this case has been sanctioned appropriately as there is no intention to impede justice. The erring Sergeant has been dismissed and prosecuted and is currently in prison custody as the trial progresses.
“Inspector Edith Uduma was also dismissed for her role, while her complicit husband has been reduced to the rank of Sergeant.”
