Popular Nigerian artiste and Jennifer’s Diary star, Odjegba Oghenekaro Kay also known as Kay Ojay, has decried how men of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) extorted him of N20,000 after an initial charge of N100,000 alongside harassment and defamation in Ajah area of Lagos State on Wednesday August 5.
Speaking to The LagosToday, Ojay recounted that he was heading to Rave TV for an interview when the unfortunate scene came to play. He accused the officers of planting Indian hemp in his pocket when he allowed them search him.
“That day, I was scheduled for an interview on Rave TV for 4p.m. I was at Ajah bus stop waiting heading there when four men dressed in black with SARS written on them accosted me,” he expressed.
Ojay’s words, “I did a job for Season One’s TV – that is Jennifer’s Diary. The character I played was a very intelligent one. So different media houses have been calling me for interview. So, yesterday I had an appointment with the Rave TV to talk about my journey as an actor and about the role I played in Jennifer’s Diary.”
He continued that he was waiting for his ride when a SARS officer approached him. “As a patriotic citizen, I greeted him and he asked me to identify myself. Although I wasn’t with my press ID card, I was with my international passport, which I showed him.
“I answered his questions and told him I’m an artiste, my movie is even showing on AIT Jennifer’s Diary and he replied okay,” the artiste said.
“The officer asked what is in my bag and I told him it was money, ID card, charger and the next thing he said he wants to check my pocket.
He accused the officer of putting weed in his pocket. “As I dipped my hand in my left pocket, he dipped his hand in my right pocket. To my greatest surprise he brought out weed and I just bought the trousers, not knowing that he put it in there”.
Ojay further expounded that the officer rough handled him in public and almost slapped him before he eventually gave his a slap across his cheeks. “He put his hands on my waist and from my belt he dragged me like a criminal. I didn’t struggle with them and I was trying to explain myself all to no avail meanwhile I had an interview”.
He bemoaned, “The four officers refused me calling anyone even someone that I was to go with called severally but I could not answer, as they took my phones and everything on me.”
Right at Ajah bus stop, Ojay said the officers turned him to their punching bag. “They slapped me, dragged me by my waist like a criminal from one side of the road to the other. They removed my shoes. One of my expensive bracelets got missing.
They soon dragged him into their shuttle van parked on the side of the road. “I was in their van when I saw the person I was supposed to go with passing by. I started calling out his name. Luckily, he heard me and came to my rescue.
Ojay’s friend, however, was said to have convinced the officers that he doesn’t smoke, arguing that he knows Okay very well. “It all fell on deaf ears. They charged me N100,000 or they would take me to their station, and that we will surely serve and go to prison”.
Perturbed by the threats of the officers, Ojay’s friend did all he could to pacify the SARS men. “They now collected about N20,000. It was really embarrassing. I was under pressure, as they took my phone.
The artiste bemoaned while speaking with The LagosToday. “It was a traumatic experience. They took N20,000 from me then another N4,000. Even my show which was scheduled to be live for 1pm, I couldn’t meet up with the time. I got there at past 4p.m. so it was pre recorded”.
He cried out, “SARS men stole from me. They stole my money and harassed me, treated me like a criminal.”
