Extortion: It is our Collective Responsibility to have a Better Society, says Egbedun

By Tunde Eso 

The Honourable Speaker Osun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adewale Egbedun has charged Nigerians to be responsible citizens in whatever role they find themselves, noting that the answer to a better society that we all yearn for is a collective duty.

The Speaker gave the charge on Thursday evening while reprimanding some police officers caught extorting citizens on the road at Ido-Osun area, reiterating his commitment to uphold the oath he sworn to while taking office.

Rt. Hon. Egbedun was returning from a trip to Ayedire local government when some distressed citizens flagged his vehicle to complain on the illicit activities of the men of the Police force for intervention.

The victims who were traveling for the Osun Osogbo festival scheduled for tomorrow, narrated their ordeal in the hands of the officers. They added that the policemen who refused all pleas to allow them go on their journey, eventually forced the three among them to make a transfer of twenty-five thousand naira each.

When approached to hear their sides of the story, the leader of the police team confirmed to the Speaker that they collected the quoted amount from the three commuters and pleaded for forgiveness.

Rt. Hon Egbedun used the opportunity to address the commuters and passers-by who stopped to witness the incident to stress that it is our collective responsibility to sanitize the state. He added that if as citizens, we are willing to be responsible, the society will be better for us to live.

He then called the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Kehinde Longe to report the conduct of his personnel to him, who immediately summoned the officers to the State headquarters for possible disciplinary action.

In Mr Speakers' entourage are the Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Akinyode Oyewusi, Hon. Oladimeji Adekunle, Hon. Abolarin Kasope, Hon. Abiola Awoyeye, Hon. Lawal Bamidele, Hon. Ibrahim Abiola and Hon. Olujimi Asagade.