Community head petitions Commissioner of Police over threat to his life
Akin Olayemi
Head of Otumara community in the Lagos Mainland of Lagos State, High Chief Kehinde Kalejaiye has sent a Save-Our-Soul message to the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu over alleged threat to his life by members of the community’s residents association.
Kalejaiye stated that members of Otumara Residents Welfare Association, ORWA who have taken total control of electricity and security affairs in the community threatened to sniff life out of him over his call for accountability and openness in the management of electricity and security funds they collected from various households who are largely low income earners.
He said, “Consequent to the shortfall in electricity supply to Otumara community and insecurity, the community constituted a nine-man electricity and security committee to discuss with Eko Electricity Distribution Company on ways to address the epileptic electricity challenges and come up with ways to improved on the polarised security situation which exposed residents to incessant rape and armed robbery attacks.
It is however unfortunate that members of the electricity and security committee deceitfully registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission as an incorporated trustees, open a corporate bank account and take total control of monthly electricity bills collection forcing over 300 households to be paying between N10, 000 and N14, 000 and disconnecting defaulting residents from electricity supply.
My office was flooded with complaints of how ORWA members physically assault residents and invaded their homes to cut-off their light in the dead of the night. Many times this resulted into fisticuff within the community.
As the head of the community, I intervened by visiting the affected homes to ascertain their claims but rather than rescind on their misdeed, I was physically attacked and booed. They threatened to kill me if I continue to interfere in their dealings. Again there are video evidences of this assault.
I have written a letter to the Eko Electricity Distribution Company not to transact any form of business with ORWA but they are unperturbed.
There are video evidences of how I was harassed and assaulted. In fact the matter is being currently investigated by officers from the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, Yaba and Zone 11, Onikan since officers from Iponri police station are working hand-in-hand with ORWA aiding them in their nefarious activities.
As a law-abiding citizen, I am urgently appealing to the Lagos State Commissioner of Police to intervene in the matter which is fast degenerating into a crisis situation.
I am equally appeal for his protection within the confine of the law as it is obvious that the aggrieved members of ORWA are bent on sending me to an early grave for standing by the oppressed and pauperised residents and demanding for justice, openness and accountability in the management of the affairs of the community.”
Responding to the allegation of conspiracy in a letter dated July 8, 2020 and signed by her, the District Manager, Eko Electricity Distribution PLC, Veronica Ugbo said disengaging the services of EKEDC to ORWA on the basis of unproved allegations is not only bad but it will make the EKEDC an accuser.
She said, “The issues raised are all internal issues within the community and we have no reason to meddle in the internal affairs of any community. Thus, as a leader in the community, we advise you to mediate or initiate the removal or replacement of any erring trustees or executives of the association in accordance to the constitution.”
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