In Lagos, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Force Public Relations Officer and a prince, declared on Sunday that he does not accept bribes, calling it “taboo” and “ungodly.” Adejobi, the son of the late Oba Moses Adejobi, the Olowu of Orile-Owu in Osun State, made this statement on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) in response to a user who asked if he had ever taken a bribe.
“No. It’s taboo for a royal prince to take a bribe. Taking a bribe definitely makes someone somewhere cry for many reasons, and it’s ungodly to do so. Your main purpose in life is to put smiles on people’s faces. It’s Godly and rewarding. It’s my personal principle and a call to duty. I always preach this to my colleagues and many others. May we have the grace to remain steadfast and purposeful in life,” Adejobi wrote.
His comments came after the dismissal of Police Inspector Adabo Mohammed, who was accused of criminal conspiracy and armed robbery. Mohammed, along with five others, allegedly stole N29.8 million from a victim in Gwagwalada, Federal Capital Territory.
Adejobi reiterated the Inspector-General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun’s commitment to maintaining professional standards within the Nigeria Police Force. “In a decisive move to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and integrity within the Nigeria Police Force, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has emphasized his administration’s zero-tolerance policy towards any form of indiscipline,” Adejobi stated.
As news of Adejobi’s statement spread, it ignited a wave of reactions on Facebook, reflecting a mix of skepticism and support.
One Facebook user, Chioma Eke, commented, “He’s telling the truth!! Just that his boys are doing it on his behalf! Fear Naija police!”
Another commenter, Whine Sammie Norman Onah added, “As a prince, but not as a law enforcement agent whose duty is to maintain law and order in society. Oga Police! This reason sounds quite weird to me.”
Also, Ezenwata Sunday remarked, “Bribery in Nigeria is what 98% of police officers do in the open. The police spokesman may be morally compelled not to, but that doesn’t deter the rest.”
Omooba Adesunkanmi Adewale wrote, “I believe you to an extent. Everyone should have the principle not to traverse justice because that is what bribery in law enforcement agencies means. However, sure you’ll accept dignifying gifts.”
Osuji Clems stated bluntly, “When it comes to bribery, every Nigerian policeman/woman is a suspect.”
Micheal Sunta added, “But when they come back from fieldwork, they honor you as their oga.”
Comfort Agboko noted, “We still have some of them that don’t collect bribes but their number is very minimal, although the reason he gave is not tenable.”
Bonaeffective Ogunbona believed, “Very possible. He is a high-ranked police officer who is well paid. Those lowly ranked officers with a 70k salary can’t survive without bribes.”
Amatesiro Ayiri Victor was cynical, “I beg, tell us another story. Government workers don’t ever speak the truth anymore in this country. The Nigerian police are the greatest enemy of the people in the zoological Republic of Nigeria. My dear spokesman, u beg nor be today yansh dey back.”
Seun Oni shared a personal story, “A friend was a victim of one chance. He went to a police station nearby. They asked him to switch off his phone and later asked for 10k to get him the police report. He said he was shocked seeing the phones officers were using. He even saw them exchanging forex right in the station. Police don’t receive bribes. They do worse things than that.”
