I’m Ready To Submit Myself, Suspected Badoo Kingpin Tells Police

Suspected kingpin of the deadly cult group, Badoo, operating in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State, Alhaji Alaka Abayomi, has declared readiness to submit himself to the Nigeria Police Force.

The suspect had been declared wanted by the Lagos State Police Command.

He, however, vowed never to appear before the state Commissioner of Police, Edgal Imohimi.

While calling on the Force Headquarters to take over the investigation, Alaka said it would be compromised if carried out under Imohimi’s supervision.

Alaka said this on Wednesday following the arrest of a herbalist, Fatai Adebayo, who allegedly administered oaths on Badoo members before they went on operations.

A fueling station and a hotel on Ijebu-Ode-Itoikin Road, in the Sabo area of Ikorodu, belonging to the suspected kingpin, was sealed off by the Lagos State Government on Wednesday, saying the facilities violated the state ’s Urban and Regional Planning Law of 2010.

The embattled businessman told Punch, “What evidence did the police have before calling me Badoo (kingpin)? Did any suspect mention my name? What does sealing my property have to do with this case? I applied and paid for the Certificate of Occupancy for the filling station five years ago, but I have not got it. I have evidence of payments.

“Since the police declared me wanted , no policeman came to my house or office to invite me. The police have my number, but they did not call me on the telephone for invitation. I don’t believe I am wanted because no invitation was sent to me. Since the police said they were looking for Badoo members , they have not arrested any prime suspect.

“I want the government to intervene. I am ready to appear before the police or any investigative body, but not before the Lagos State Police Command and Edgal (Imohimi ). A team should be set up to investigate the matter , particularly from Abuja . He (Edgal) declared me a Badoo kingpin , but what evidence does he have? About five security men guarding the filling station have been arrested.

He said, “I can no longer walk freely around Ikorodu for fear of area boys administering jungle justice on me. I have read about the herbalist that was arrested. I don ’t know him.

“Why didn ’t police allow him to talk to journalists? The case should be transferred from the Lagos State Command; they have dented my image. I sleep in my house in Magodo ; no policeman came to arrest me.

“I will not show up at the Lagos State Police Command for three reasons: one, they don’t have evidence against me. I was arrested and released the following day without being told to write a statement.

“Secondly, the CP has refused to appear in court. The case has been in court since August 2017. For three adjourned dates, the court was said to be on vacation. During the last sitting, the judge adjourned till February 2018 for ruling on the injunction, which is very suspicious

“Thirdly, I will not surrender myself to the CP because he will compromise investigation. But I am ready to appear before the Inspector- General of Police and the National Assembly.

“The genesis of this issue was when the IPO requested that I should pay N10m to settle some police officers at the command. It was when I refused to pay the money that I was arrested. I have petitioned the National Assembly and the IG on this.”