Oyibe Michael, the man involved in an auto crash at the Car Park C area of Mowe, Ogun State, expressed frustration after claiming that police officers demanded a sum of N100,000 from him to issue a police report following the accident. Oyibe stated that his car collided with a commercial bus while making a U-turn, resulting in damage. The police arrived at the scene, where statements were taken and vehicle documents were requested. However, the commercial driver was allegedly given preferential treatment despite lacking proper documents.
The commercial bus owner demanded N100,000 for damages, which Oyibe declined, citing the advice of the Federal Road Safety Corps that such costs should be shared equally between both parties involved in an accident. Oyibe alleged that the police sided with the commercial driver, even when his friend pointed out that the driver was intoxicated.
Oyibe contacted his insurance company the next day, but they required a police report as a condition for assistance. He inquired about obtaining the report from the police, and various officers quoted a fee of N100,000. A female inspector offered to help for N50,000, but Oyibe was not allowed to see the Divisional Police Officer (DPO).
As a result, Oyibe’s car remained in police custody since October 13, and he was unable to afford the N100,000 for the police report, which was a prerequisite for the insurance company to cover the damages.
The Ogun State Police Command’s spokesperson, Omolola Odutola, acknowledged the need for a police report as an official requirement but expressed ignorance about the specific fee mentioned by the officers. She advised the complainant to report the issue at their office in Abeokuta.
