Delta police deny Officers’ request for gratification before carrying out Investigation

This followed allegations that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Oghara, Ethiope West council area of the state, demanded financial gratifications before carrying out investigation on the corpse of a lady found lying by the fence of Delta State Polytechnic, Oghara.

It was learnt that the DPO of the area and his men demanded money from the victim’s parents before carrying out investigation on the deceased lady, identified as Udu Edith Bugbemi, a part time National Diploma (ND) one student of Science Laboratory Technology of the polytechnic.

The student was alleged to have been murdered by a notorious armed group known as the Ghana Burgers, based in Sapele area of the state.

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It was gathered that when the mother of the deceased reported the matter to the police in the area, they requested for fuel money so as to commence investigation on the matter but the mother could not provide the money.

But the state police public relations officer, Celestina Kalu, said members of the police force do not solicit financial gratification from members of the public before carrying out the lawful assignments.

She said the DPO rather led detectives to the scene, viewed the corpse and observed no visible mark of violence on the body but whitish foam on the mouth and nostrils.

According to her, “The detectives after photographing the scene evacuated the corpse to Delta State Teaching hospital Mortuary-Oghara, and filled out coroner’s forms which were served on the doctor for post mortem examination in order to ascertain the cause of her death.

She said while investigation into the incident is still ongoing, the result of the post mortem examination is being awaited to determine the cause of the student’s death.