The Nigerian Police Force (NPF) has successfully recovered over N31 million from four officers accused of unlawfully arresting and extorting a civilian. This recovery follows allegations of gross misconduct and abuse of power within the force, sparking widespread discussions about integrity and accountability in law enforcement.
The development was confirmed by the Force Public Relations Officer, Prince Olumuyiwa Adejobi, who addressed the incident publicly while also dispelling rumors that the Inspector General of Police (IGP) was involved in shielding a cartel suspected of introducing questionable new Naira notes into circulation. Adejobi reaffirmed the force’s commitment to justice and transparency in addressing such allegations.
The incident, which took place on August 26, 2023, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, implicated four officers: Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Peter Ejike, Inspector Ekeinde Edwin, Inspector Esther Okafor, and Sergeant Talabi Kayode. All officers were attached to Zone 7, Abuja. Acting on DSP Ejike’s directives, the team, led by Inspector Okafor, unlawfully detained a civilian, Andrew Ejah, an employee of Fatfad Cargo Nigeria Limited, who was transporting N74,950,000 on behalf of his clients.
According to reports, the officers falsely reported that only N31,790,000 was recovered from the funds being transported. Furthermore, they allegedly pressured Mr. Ejah and his associates to forfeit a percentage of the recovered money in exchange for halting further investigations. These actions raised suspicions about the integrity of their claims and the actual amount recovered.
Dissatisfied with the officers' actions, the owners of the funds filed a petition with the Force Headquarters in Abuja. This led the IGP Monitoring Unit to initiate a thorough investigation. Their efforts resulted in the recovery of the N31,790,000 from the implicated officers. However, concerns remain regarding the full amount recovered from Mr. Ejah, as the discrepancies in reported figures suggest possible foul play.
The Nigerian Police Force has since taken disciplinary action against the involved officers. This case serves as a critical example of ongoing efforts to combat corruption and restore public trust within the police force. The NPF reiterated its commitment to ensuring accountability and maintaining transparency in its operations, vowing to handle similar cases with utmost diligence in the future.