Ogun Resident Alleges Police Prosecutor Tampered with Evidence, Took Bribe

Mr. Adejare Olasunkanmi, a resident of Ogun State, has brought forth serious accusations against ASP Matthew Famuyiwa, a police prosecutor. Olasunkanmi claims Famuyiwa accepted a bribe and subsequently removed 18 crucial exhibits from a criminal case file at the Magistrate’s Court in Isabo, Abeokuta, Ogun State. This alleged action, according to Olasunkanmi, was intended to sabotage the prosecution of suspects accused of violently assaulting him.

Speaking to SaharaReporters, Olasunkanmi stated that Famuyiwa allegedly colluded with the defense counsel to undermine the legal proceedings by causing vital evidence in his case file to disappear. “Famuyiwa prosecuted a case on my behalf at Magistrate’s Court, Isabo, Abeokuta, Ogun State, but he collected a bribe from the defendants and their lawyer and removed all the vital 18 exhibits from the case file,” Olasunkanmi recounted.

The missing exhibits allegedly include a range of critical items: eight crime scene photographs, some depicting Olasunkanmi soaked in his own blood; a medical report from General Hospital, Ijaiye, Abeokuta; a patient card from the same hospital; a patient card and receipt from Abraham Hospital, a private facility where he received first aid; and receipts for medicines purchased. Also reportedly missing are a photograph showing Olasunkanmi dragged on the ground with visible injuries, pictures of remnants of bottles used in the attack taken by the Investigating Police Officer (IPO) Inspector Blessing Eduwem Peters, another photograph taken by the IPO inside the police station, and some weapons recovered from the crime scene. Furthermore, two First Bank account statements of N50,000 each are also among the missing items: one allegedly paid by the attackers as an admission of guilt, and another which Olasunkanmi refused to accept as a settlement.

Olasunkanmi further accused the Ogun State Police Command of failing to investigate an earlier complaint he lodged against the prosecutor, despite clear directives from the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 2 Command, Lagos. He detailed that he had initially petitioned the AIG on January 2, 2025, accusing Famuyiwa of criminal conspiracy, breach of public trust, and professional misconduct. The petition was acknowledged on January 14, 2025, and forwarded to the Ogun State Commissioner of Police, who then referred it to a Deputy Commissioner of Police for investigation. However, Olasunkanmi maintains that no investigation was ever carried out, prompting his fresh petition.

He recalled that Inspector Blessing Eduwem Peter, the IPO in the original case, had meticulously documented the crime scene with photographs after the alleged attack on February 3, 2023. The IPO also accompanied him to General Hospital, Ijaye, Abeokuta, to obtain medical reports and other relevant documents, all of which were initially part of the case file before the suspects' arraignment. Olasunkanmi asserts that the disappearance of these documents severely weakened the prosecution's position.

Before the trial concluded, Olasunkanmi alleged that the defense counsel, identified as Augustine Ihunba, repeatedly tried to convince him to settle the matter out of court with financial compensation. He rejected these offers, claiming that the prosecutor instead accepted financial inducement to compromise the prosecution. Olasunkanmi pointed to the judgment delivered on December 20, 2024, by Chief Magistrate A.K. Araba, which noted that no photographs or medical documents were tendered. He argued that this judgment corroborated his allegation that the exhibits had been removed prior to the trial.

After petitioning the Chief Judge of Ogun State regarding the prosecutor's conduct, Olasunkanmi was advised to direct his complaint to the appropriate police authorities. His past experience as a litigation officer with human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) has underscored for him the critical importance of documentary evidence in criminal proceedings.

Olasunkanmi is now urging the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 2 Police Command, to initiate a thorough investigation into the allegations against Famuyiwa and ensure his prosecution for alleged criminal conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, betrayal of public trust, and violations of police ethics.

A certified true copy of Chief Magistrate A.K. Araba's judgment from December 20, 2024 (Charge No. MA/153C/2023), obtained by SaharaReporters, detailed the trial involving defendants Alani Adepo, Sherrif Adejare, and Adepo Quadri. The prosecution presented two witnesses: IPO Inspector Blessing Eduwem Peter and the complainant, Adejare Olasunkanmi.

The investigating officer testified about visiting the crime scene, taking statements, and tendering various documents, including the defendants' statements and a bank transfer receipt related to an attempted settlement. Olasunkanmi testified to being attacked by the defendants and others after being accused of stealing sand, sustaining head and eye injuries from a shovel and bottle, and having his residence looted. He claimed cash, mobile phones, and other valuables were stolen, and that the IPO photographed his injuries at the police station before referring him for medical treatment.

The defendants, however, denied the allegations, stating the dispute was over sand. They maintained that no assault, theft, or damage occurred and admitted to offering N50,000 to settle the matter out of court. Under cross-examination, defendant Quadri denied conspiracy, stating he merely cautioned Olasunkanmi during the sand disagreement and was at home on the day of the incident.

Chief Magistrate Araba's judgment highlighted that the prosecution bore the burden of proving guilt beyond reasonable doubt. While Olasunkanmi alleged N255,000 was stolen, the court noted his initial police statement did not indicate he saw any defendant enter his room or take the money. The IPO also confirmed no stolen items or cash were recovered. The magistrate concluded that the theft allegation was speculative and an afterthought.