He was hysterical without provocation, police finally speak on Praiz’s arrest

The Lagos state police command says singer Praiz was arrested for his “rude” and “suspicious” conduct when flagged down for overspeeding.

The singer, born Praise Ugbede Adejo, was arrested along Lekki-Epe expressway over a week ago.

It was alleged that the singer’s phone was confiscated when he attempted to film his arrest.

But in a statement released on Monday, the police said Praiz was never harassed or molested, accusing him of being “hysterical without provocation”.

Chike Oti, police public relations officer, Lagos state police command, said: “On the 19th day of December 2017, at noon hours, policemen attached to Area ‘J’ command headquarters, Ajah, Lagos, who were on routine anti crime patrol along Lekki/Epe expressway, noticed a car at top speed approaching their end.

“The policemen sensed that the speed was much and so were alarmed hence they flagged down the car to check on the occupants and if necessary search the trunk of the car.

“When the car stopped, the officers who were in their uniforms approached the driver but to their disbelief, the driver who was yet to be addressed by the policemen became hysterical without provocation and started shouting ‘Sars, sars, sars ooo’. As he was shouting and pouring unprintable invectives on the officers of the law, he was at the same time filming them.

“These unprovoked actions on the part of the driver whose true identity at that time was unknown to the patrolmen made them even more suspicious of him and so they requested him to come with them to see the area commander, ACP Felix Oben, whom they had already called to report the conduct of the man.

“It was at the area commander’s office that they got to know that he is a musician that goes by the name Praiz. The area commander questioned him and advised him to be of good behaviour. He thereafter departed the police station peacefully without any molestation whatsoever.

“The police authority in Lagos nevertheless felt scandalised by Praiz’s rudeness to the men in uniform who were out to ensure law, order and safety along the Lekki/Epe corridor.

“It is a matter of common knowledge that the command commissioner of police, CP. Edgal Imohimi, who has dismissed a number of policemen that abused their offices since assuming office, would not hesitate to deal with the policemen if they had erred. It is also instructive to note that the officers are not SARS operatives as erroneously assumed by Praiz but conventional policemen in their uniforms serving at Area ‘J’ Command Headquarters.”

PRESS RELEASE: OUR ENCOUNTER WITH THE SINGER CALLED PRAIZ. On the 19th day of December 2017, at noon hours, police men attached to Area 'J' Command Headquarters, Ajah, Lagos, who were on routine anti crime patrol along Lekki/Epe express way, noticed a car at top speed approaching their end. The police men sensed that the speed was much and so were alarmed hence they flagged down the car to check on the occupants and if necessary search the trunk of the car. When the car stopped, the officers who were in their uniforms approached the driver but to their disbelief, the driver who was yet to be addressed by the police men became hysterical without provocation and started shouting " Sars, sars, sars ooo". As he was shouting and pouring unprintable invectives on the officers of the law, he was at the same time filming them. These unprovoked actions on the part of the driver whose true identity at that time was unknown to the patrol men, made them even more suspicious of him and so they requested him to come with them to see the Area Commander, ACP Felix Oben whom they had already called to report the conduct of the man. It was at the Area Commander's office that they got to know that he is a musician that goes by the name Praiz. The Area Commander questioned him and advised him to be of good behaviour. He thereafter departed the police station peacefully without any molestation whatsoever. The Police authority in Lagos nevertheless felt scandalized by Praiz's rudeness to the men in uniform who were out to ensure law, order and safety along the Lekki/ Epe corridor. It is a matter of common knowledge that the Command Commissioner of Police, CP. Edgal Imohimi, who has dismissed a number of police men that abused their offices since assuming office, would not hesitate to deal with the policemen if they had erred. It is also instructive to note that the officers are not SARS operatives as erroneously assumed by Praiz but conventional police men in their uniforms serving at Area 'J' Command Headquarters. SP Chike Oti Police Public Relations Officer, Lagos State Police Command.

A post shared by Lagos State Police Command (@policenglagos) on Dec 25, 2017 at 12:48pm PST