Father of four shot dead by Police officer over land dispute

A father of four children identified as,  Danton Hodewu, was shot dead by a  policeman,identified as  Inspector Wasiu Lawal, attached to the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Ogun State Police Command, the suspect reportedly shot the car dealer, , in front of the palace of Alase of Ilase in the Ipokia Local Government Area of the state.

 It was gathered that the youth leader of the community  led policemen to arrest Danton in his house and took him to the palace.

Our correspondent learnt that the 45-year-old was leaving after a discussion at the palace when he was shot by the inspector.

The deceased’s son, Sunday Hondewu, told newsmen that his father had bought the land some years ago and made part payment.

“But the youth leader was also interested in buying the same land,” he added.

Sunday explained that apart from the land, Ope had asked his father to supply him a bus worth N800,000 two years ago.

He said the vehicle was brought to Nigeria, but had some faults, adding that Ope paid N600,000.

“My father demanded the payment of the N200,000 balance so he could fix the faults and give him the bus in good condition.

“The vehicle was not released and when the youth leader eventually paid N100,000 on August 15, 2017, he came with three SARS officials the following day. They took my father to the palace. They had a discussion on the palace premises.

“As he was leaving, Inspector Lawal shot him in the back.

“Ope ran away; he later presented himself at the police headquarters in Eleweran, Abeokuta. He was released on bail immediately.

“The police invited the kabiyesi for interrogation, and he was also released on bail.

“The police are lying to us that Ope is in their custody; but my brother and I saw him along Koko Road in a Toyota Venza.”

“Ope has gone into hiding since then. He was seen sometime last week. We want justice.”

The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Abimbola Oyeyemi, said the trigger-happy policeman had been dismissed after an orderly room trial.

He, however, stated that the police did not have any evidence against the youth leader and the traditional ruler.

He said, “The inspector that shot the man has been dismissed and he will soon be charged to court. The youth leader did not order the policeman to shoot the man. We cannot punish somebody who did not commit an offence.

“Anybody can invite the police to settle a matter. That should not make a policeman to do what is not within the ambits of the law. This is not a matter we can sweep under the carpet.”