Ipoa steps in: CCTV, condoms and cash under scrutiny as police boss faces court

The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (Ipoa) has taken over investigations into reports of the defilement of a 16-year-old girl by a police boss.

The cop has been arrested and presented in court.

The police watchdog said its investigators are examining CCTV footage, recording additional statements and reviewing medical records as they pursue further evidence in the case.

The matter was reported at Lumakanda Police Station on September 27 before it was brought to Ipoa’s attention, prompting the authority to deploy a team to investigate.

Ipoa chairman Dr Duncan Ojwang' Oburu said the officer identified in connection with the allegations had been arrested and presented before court as investigations continued.

“The police officer who has been identified in connection with the allegations has since been arrested and presented before court as further investigations continue,” Dr Oburu said in a statement.

Ipoa said its team had recorded statements from relevant persons, processed and documented the scene and obtained relevant medical records. Investigators are now analysing available CCTV footage and recording additional statements. An identification parade will also be conducted where necessary.

The authority did not name the officer or disclose further details of the allegations, saying investigations were ongoing.

The case centres on allegations that the police boss gained access to a family’s home in the Kambi Moto area at night after allegedly persuading the girl’s parents to leave the house over a purported security operation.

According to a police report cited in the earlier investigation, the officer allegedly contacted the girl’s mother at about 11 pm and told her that a multi-agency security operation was planned in the area. He allegedly offered to drive the woman and her husband to a local pub, where he left them after telling them he would return for them at about 5 am.

The couple later reportedly returned home after the mother became suspicious. They allegedly found the officer inside the house with their daughter.

The earlier police report also contained allegations involving a firearm, condoms, the couple’s mobile phones and Sh20,000.

The girl and her mother were taken to Lumakanda Sub-County Hospital for medical examination and treatment as the initial investigation got underway.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations in Lugari subsequently took up the case before Ipoa assumed oversight of the probe.

Ipoa said it was treating the matter with seriousness given the vulnerability of the alleged victim and the nature of the allegations. It said the investigation would be “thorough, impartial and evidence-based”, with appropriate action to be taken within its statutory mandate based on the findings.

The allegations against the officer remain unproven and will be tested through the court process.

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