The Nigerian Police Force has suspended several officers accused of stealing N43 million from a Nigerian citizen. The officers, who were part of an operation at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, allegedly conspired to intercept and misappropriate the money. The authorities found them involved in misconduct, tampering with evidence, and corruption.
In a statement, the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Muyiwa Adejobi, strongly refuted claims that the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, was shielding a cartel involved in currency smuggling. ACP Adejobi called these accusations baseless, aimed at tarnishing the IGP’s reputation.
The incident in question occurred on August 26, 2023, when the officers unlawfully detained Andrew Ejah, an employee of FATFAD Cargo Nigeria Limited. Ejah was transporting ₦74,950,000 on behalf of clients. He was arrested by officers from Zone 7 Headquarters, Abuja.
The officers, including DSP Peter Ejike, Inspector Ekende Edwin, Inspector Esther Okafor, and Sergeant Talabi Kayode, detained Ejah without proper authorization. They falsely claimed they had recovered ₦31,790,000 from him. However, upon investigation, the Force found the amount of money they had seized was much higher.
Uncovering the crime of stealing N43 million
After the owners of the money contacted the police, the officers demanded a percentage of the funds to suppress the case. The incident led to a formal petition to the Force Headquarters and an investigation by the IGP Monitoring Unit.
The investigation revealed that the officers had stolen ₦43,160,000. They had conspired to move the stolen money out of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) for hiding. The officers even tried a cover up, claiming they lost their phone after they took photograph of the arrest.
Forensic intelligence showed that the officers had acted criminally and unprofessionally. They had taken photographs of the suspect and the cash at the point of arrest. But they later fabricated evidence to mislead investigators. Despite their attempts to cover up the crime, their actions were exposed.
Officers suspended for misconduct and corruption
The authorities suspended the officers as a result of their involvement in theft. Investigation reportedly showed that they were culpable of serious misconduct, including tampering with exhibits, abuse of office, and corruption. The investigators also found that the officers acted in a manner unbecoming of police officers.
“The movement of such an amount of money by the alleged cargo company could have been investigated and handled professionally,” ACP Adejobi stated. “But the officers were carried away by greed and acted criminally.”
The suspension of the officers is part of the Nigerian Police’s efforts to maintain accountability and integrity within its ranks.
ACP Adejobi addressed the growing rumors surrounding the alleged involvement of the IGP in a currency smuggling cartel. The police force categorically denied these claims.
“The Nigeria Police Force has noted with concern the recent allegations circulating in the media,” Adejobi said. “These claims suggest that IGP Kayode Egbetokun is shielding a cartel accused of smuggling suspicious new banknotes from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).”
He called these allegations “baseless” and dismissed them as an attempt to tarnish the reputation of the Nigeria Police.
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