Chiemelie Ezeobi writes that the police under the current Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, has continued its human rights violation in a case now before Hon. Justice Akinkugbe of Ikeja High Court in Lagos

Against expectations, the police under the new Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase has not changed much. There are many reasons for that. But a case involving two business partners in which the police deliberately took side without thorough investigation will convince anyone.

In 2014, the duo of Gbenga Ajugu, the managing director of Microdigits Computers and Allied Services and Mr. Adewunmi Sijuade, the managing director, Krypton Technologies, entered into a business deal to supply Close Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras, Fire Alarm Systems and other building gadgets to companies that need their expertise.

They got along so well until there was alleged breach of contract by Sijuade who according to THISDAY investigation prefers to use low-quality products to increase profit.

For instance, in a contract involving Microdigits and Krypton Technologies, things got terribly bad that Sijuade in an alleged attempt to frustrate Ajugu out of the business deal enlisted the support of the police first as a scarecrow and later to carry out assault on Ajugu in order to get him out of the deal.

Some senior officers at Force Intelligence Bureau Annexe, Kam Selem House Obalende were been drafted into the matter by Sijuade and they had continued to use their office to trample upon the rights of Ajugu.

The police threw caution to the wind in going after a citizen who has committed no offence by impounding a Honda SUV belonging to Ajugu with all the original papers.

Also, Ajugu’s personal laptop, and company’s original certificate of incorporation, and all relevant documents relating to the transactions between the two companies were carted away from the offices of Microdigits when they first invaded the place over three months ago.

The police also advised Ajugu to pay the sum of N2.5million to his partner so as to settle the matter.

According to THISDAY investigation, Sijuade is taking the advantage of a relationship he has with the Assistant Commissioner of Police, ACP Bankole to frustrate Ajugu out of a business deal by making frivolous accusation against him before the police.

In a petition, Sijuade claimed that Ajugu threatened to kill him and that he also used the business money to buy an SUV, get an accommodation and travelled for vacation in Dubai.


In a letter from the office of the commissioner of police dated February 19, signed by one Chief Superintendent of Police, CSP Rasheed Lawal, Ajugu was informed of his alleged involvement in an organised business crime to his surprise

He then proceeded to see the police for his own side of the story. But on getting to Kam Salem house the following week, Ajugu was detained and later granted bail. The bail was easy, because Ajugu went there with a police officer who was equally interested in the case because of the frivolous claims allegedly made by Sijuade.

It was one ACP Lawal that allegedly ordered the seizure of Ajugu’s car and unlawful search of Microdigits office, where laptop, company registration papers, and all photos and documents relating to the contracts in question were taken away.

And when Ajugu finally took the matter to court, the police refused to appear in court for several weeks. For going to court, ACP Bankole allegedly threatened to deal with Ajugu for his brave act.

In his application to the court, Ajugu had joined the IG, the Commissioner of Police, ACP Bankole, CSP Lawal, Mr. Siji and Inspector Akindele of FIB; Krypton Technologies and its managing director, Sijuade, then former staff of Microdigits, Mr. Ayodele Alade, Monsuru Aregbe and Akinyemi Olushola, in the suit as defendants.

He said for the EMKAISER job that created the bad blood between him and his partner, the cost they quoted for the job had no labour fee included because they were told it was not considered.

A part of his petition reads: "That means our labour and all the equipment would be taken care of with the N6million. Adewunmi said the payment regime will be 40 per cent, 40 per cent, 15 per cent, and 5 per cent.

"To this we agreed, and by November 21, 2014, we got an alert of N1,600,000 credited to our account from Krypton Technologies to start the CCTV job. It was a bank transfer from Krypton Technologies to Microdigits.

"Immediately I brought in my men and equipment, we swung into action even though we expected the promised 40 per cent (N2.4 million) but we got less than that."

He said because the company was impressed with the job done, they were given the next aspect of the job, which was the fire alarms systems valued at N4.7million.

He continued: "Looking at the drawing, I discovered that there would be a possible flaw in the overall execution of the CCTV job, so I wrote a memo for an adjustment, and forthwith it was approved, and this added N2million to the CCTV job, making it N8 million.

"On December 5, 2014, we received payment of N1million from Krypton technologies to start the fire alarms systems, and forthwith we started work and by December 13, the first phase of the job was almost done, which is cabling and it accounts for 70 per cent of the whole job."


According to the court paper, Ajugu said it was while he was in Dubai that “Mr. Sijuade released N3.4million into our company account on December 19, 2014. With the released funds of N3.4million I was able to buy 33 units of cameras (out of about 57 ) and 60 units of smoke detectors and more needed cables to compensate for the flaws in the calculations of the BoQ.

"I told Mr. Sijuade we needed more money to move on with the project, and I was shocked when he said I should itemise and analyse everything I had bought.

"By that time, we had been paid N6million out of N12.7 million naira (less than 50 per cent payment made to us), and we had taken the job to 80 per cent completion.”

He said his grouse was that Sijuade alleged that he owed him N2.5 million and that his workers whom he had nurtured for over 10 years jumped ship, adding that rather, he was being owed N6.7million and then prayed the court to come to his aid and deal judiciously with the matter.


The Police React
When contacted, Mr. Siji of the FIB offered to set up a meeting with the commissioner of police. Afterwards he said, "the matter is in court and his lawyer has been coming.

"Even, there was a time they came and his lawyer and our legal representative had a settlement, which the CP is expecting the outcome through the lawyer.

"Ajugu took the police to court and he mislead his lawyer but when the case got to court and we presented our case file, from there it was agreed that it is matter that can easily be resolved. The court granted the terms of settlements and even his lawyer apologised to the CP."
As regarding the impounded car, he said Ajugu's lawyer was advised to withdraw the suit from the court so they can regain the car.
He said, "We advised his lawyer about two weeks ago to get a withdrawal of application. I told him that the best option is to bring a withdrawal letter and that is the application for the collection of the exhibit, which the vehicle."

While the furor generated over this affair continues to rage, the onus therein lies on the court to go over facts presented by both factions and then determine the suit judiciously, since it is seemingly the last resort of the common man.

http://www.thisdaylive.com/articles/seeking-for-justice/213467/

Gbege don happen...
Too much tory

I hope this Nairalander has the funds to finish this long case

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Police is now calling for withdrawal of case from court and settlement. God bless this nairalander for taking this brave step, how can ACP descend so low, in involving in such a shady arrest, that ACP deserve demotion!

There are many similar cases everyday, that guy that work with the police to make false accusations, should be jailed!

If the police advise you to withdraw the case from court, don't do it, fight for justice.

They will frustrate you by not coming to court, after that you also will stop coming, if you fail to show up @ the court 2 or 3times the case will be strike off, then they can come back to rearrest you.

Police are bunch of manipulators, don't ever trust them.