The police stated that before a decision was made, the Edo State police command thoroughly investigated the development.
The Nigeria Police Force has stated that the discharge of policewoman, Edith Uduma, who reported rape of a kid by her male colleague, followed the right process.
On Wednesday, Adejobi Muyiwa, the Force Public Relations Officer, signed a statement outlining the police position.
“The Nigeria Police Force hereby reaffirms its justification for the dismissal of one Edith Uduma, a former police inspector, who was recently dismissed for her act of gross misconduct and complicity surrounding the alleged rape of a 17-year-old female suspect by one Abraham Uzuobo.”
The police stated that before a judgment was made, the Edo State police command thoroughly investigated the development.
In the statement, the headquarters police command did not specify if it conducted an independent investigation into the case in light of the accusations of collusion and foul play made against the Edo State police command.
“It would be recalled that in a video that went viral on social media, where a Police Sergeant was alleged to have raped a female suspect in the station on October 7th 2024, former police Inspector Edith Uduma was the Charge Room Officer (CRO) on duty.”
“The video emerged online one week following the occurrence. A thorough investigation into the matter conducted by the Edo State Police Command uncovered that the Police Sergeant, identified as Sgt Abraham 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.”
The police again insisted that Edith didn’t report the incident to her superiors. Witnesses had negated the police claim including the station officer of Ibie Police station where Edith worked.
Information reached that Edith reported the case to the station officer when it occurred.
“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 (DPO) 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 One Million Naira (N1,000,000) from the Sergeant to assist him in concealing the matter.”
“However, the Sergeant offered only N45,000 in cash which they collected at that instance and after a few days, contacted the Sergeant to request the same sum of N1,000,000, but the Sergeant refused to comply.”
The police authorities stated that Edith only reported the case after failing to obtain N1 million from the alleged rapist Abraham.
“Dissatisfied by his refusal to follow through with the blackmail, they decided to report the erring officer to the DPO and also simultaneously share the video on social media.”
“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.”
The police which failed to address the issue of the missing fourteen year-old daughter of the dismissed policewoman, instead said Edith had soiled the reputation of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun and the Police in its entirety by making statements regarding her innocence.
“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.” the statement read.
Edith’s fourteen-year-old daughter has been missing for days, according to previous reports, after the Auchi area commander allegedly threatened the family.
Until the time of this report, Goodness Ibrahim had never come home after going out to get food for the family.
Edith continues to insist on her innocence, claiming that she is being singled out since she did not “kill” the case as directed by her station divisional police officer.
In addition, the Take-It-Back Movement petitioned the Attorney General’s Office and the Ministry of Justice, including the National Human Rights Commission office, to review the case and Edith’s unfair dismissal.
