Contrary
to a report credited to Seun Egbegbe that he was neither arrested nor beaten by
any mob, it was gathered on Wednesday afternoon
that the film-maker was still in police custody.
Egbegbe
was mobbed on Tuesday for allegedly stealing nine iPhones, after which he was
taken to the Area F Command in Ikeja.
It
was learnt that the state Commissioner of Police, Fatai Owoseni, had visited
the Area F Command, where Egbegbe was being detained, and was briefed on the
investigation.
Egbegbe’s
problem started at the Computer Village, Ikeja, after he was accused of
stealing the iPhones from a shop.
After
buying the phones, he reportedly told a sales boy in the shop that he wanted to
pick money from his vehicle outside. He allegedly attempted to escape with the
phones in the waiting jeep when the sales boy raised the alarm.
However,
he was said to have told the police that he wanted to pick the money when the
sales boy screamed for help and alerted the mob.
But
Egbegbe on Wednesday denied the incident.
The
statement, which was credited to him and went viral, stated that he was neither
arrested nor beaten up by any mob.
The
statement read, “The story is pretty laughable and better left in the court of
public opinion. Ordinarily, I do not want to join issues with the writer of the
publication, but I have a responsibility to set the records straight for my
fans, friends and foes, in the defence of the truth.
“To
say the least, the news did not only grossly misinform unsuspecting public; it
also portrays traces of campaign of calumny by some mercenary hell bent on
destroying my name, for reasons best known to them.
“I
want to state here categorically and emphatically that though I was at the
Computer Village to address some issues, I was never arrested for stealing 10
iPhone 7s, as stated by the writer of the story. The matter has since been
resolved by the police; and the issue of me stealing phone is devilish from the
said writer.
“It
is germane to note that I am a charitable, humane, and grass root person, who
has exhibited selflessness in communal service, which have used as a veritable
tool for social development.
“Finally,
I wish to inform the general public to discard the report. I am presently at
home relaxing.”
However,
a police source at the command said at about 3pm on Wednesday that the
film-maker was still being held for interrogation.
The
source said, “He (Egbegbe) is still in our custody. His associates have been
debunking the allegation. He is still in detention. The CP even came to
interrogate him this afternoon (Wednesday).”
The
Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Dolapo Badmos, said Egbegbe was
still under investigation in the command, adding that the public would be
informed on the outcome of the investigation on Thursday (today)
She
said, “The case is still under investigation. We will properly brief the press
on the stand of the command on the case by tomorrow (today).”
Commenting
on the online statement, the PPRO said, “You are aware that he was arrested. If
an online publication is saying he was not arrested, and the police said he was
arrested, which one do you want to believe?”
Source:The
Punch
Tags
Entertainment