FCT Police Command begins trial of officer accused of harassing woman

The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has begun the trial of a policeman accused of harassing a woman in Abuja’s Galadimawa area after a video surfaced showing the alleged incident.

According to the woman, the policeman slapped her and used pepper spray on her eyes during a stop-and-search operation at Galadimawa Roundabout.

According to reports, the incident happened on the night of October 6, 2024.

The woman said in the video: “I didn’t do anything to these guys; I didn’t carry anything; I am not a criminal.

“They asked me to come; I told them they could check my back and there was no need for me to come down.

“These guys started harassing me and used pepper spray on my eyes three times and slapped me.”

Reacting to the incident on Wednesday via X (formerly Twitter), the command’s spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, stated that the victim has since come forward and identified the officer involved in the incident.

Adeh added that disciplinary procedures and a trial had already commenced.

She urged residents to report any misconduct through the command’s complaint numbers.

Adeh said: “The police officer assigned to Galadimawa Roundabout for stop-and-search duties, who was seen harassing a woman at night on October 6, 2024, has been summoned.

“The victim has come forward and identified the officer involved. Disciplinary action and a trial have also commenced.”