The police in Lagos State have arrested and detained a member of the House of Representatives, Shina Peller, at the Moroko Police Station. Peller, who
The police in Lagos State have arrested and detained a member of the House of Representatives, Shina Peller, at the Moroko Police Station. Peller, who represents Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Kajola/Iwajowa Federal Constituency, Oyo State, was allegedly arrested while trying to bail some patrons and staff of his club, Quiox.
A statement by Peller’s Press Secretary, Kola Popoola, claimed that the lawmaker’s offence was not disclosed to him as his phones were seized. He said, “Peller was at Moroko Police Station to bail some of Club Quilox’s customers who had allegedly parked on the road during a show at the club. Prior to the kickoff of the 36 hours non-stop show which usually holds every year at Quilox, Peller had informed the concerned Lagos traffic authorities to avoid unnecessary traffic gridlock.
“On getting to Moroko Police Station, the police started harassing Peller and even went as far as seizing all his phones for no reason. The continuous harassment and unjust detaining of a member of House of Representatives, Peller, by the police calls for urgent attention of the media, and the Commissioner of Police.”
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Police Command has explained the reason for his arrest and detention. The state Police Public Relations Officer, Bala Elkana, said Peller’s club, Quilox, was fond of obstructing free flow of traffic. He explained that the lawmaker had been warned many times, but he refused to do anything about it.
He said after some of his customers’ vehicles caused gridlock on Monday, the police intervened by towing three of the vehicles. Bala claimed that Peller mobilised thugs, invaded the station and forcefully removed the vehicles. He said, “The honourable is the owner of that club and his customers are fond of parking on the road and blocking the road. If you want to pass that place, you will have tough times.
“Up till 9am, the club was still on. They refused to remove their vehicles and Lagosians were seriously disturbed. Even Mr Governor was affected this morning. He had to manoeuvre his way through it. This man had been talked to many times, but he refused to listen. This morning, our patrol vehicles towed three vehicles out of that place so that people could pass.
“This honourable mobilised over 50 thugs to attack Maroko Police Station to move those vehicles out. We had to send reinforcement from neighbouring stations before they were able to curtail the situation. That was how he was arrested with five of the thugs, while others escaped. We had to exercise a lot of restraints. They have been moved to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, Panti, where they are being investigated.”
His club has since been sealed by the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency over Noise Pollution and Traffic Congestion
