The Nigerian Police Force has revealed a shocking case of corruption within its ranks, where four officers conspired to steal N43.16 million from a cargo company transporting N74.95 million in new bank notes.
The incident occurred on August 26, 2023, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.
“The Nigeria Police Force has noted with concern the recent allegations circulating in the media, suggesting that the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, is shielding a cartel accused of smuggling suspicious new banknotes from the Central Bank of Nigeria,” said Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Muyiwa Adejobi.
ACP Adejobi emphasized, “The NPF categorically refutes these claims, condemning them as baseless and orchestrated attempts to tarnish the IGP’s reputation and the integrity of the Force.”
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The officers involved, DSP Peter Ejike, Inspector Ekende Edwin, Inspector Esther Okafor, and Sergeant Talabi Kayode, attached to the Zone 7 Headquarters, were found culpable of serious misconduct, tampering with exhibits, abuse of office, corrupt practice, illegal duty, and acts unbecoming of a police officer.
According to ACP Adejobi, “These officers, led by Inspector Esther Okafor on the instruction of DSP Peter Ejike, unlawfully arrested Andrew Ejah, an employee of FATFAD Cargo Nigeria Limited, who was conveying the cash sum of ₦74,950,000 on behalf of clients.”
ACP Adejobi further stated, “Acting without authorization, they detained Mr. Ejah at the Zone 7 Headquarters, Abuja, and deliberately misrepresented the recovered amount as ₦31,790,000.”
The officers demanded a percentage of the funds to suppress the case, ACP Adejobi noted. “Upon being contacted by the alleged owners of the money, the officers claimed that the sum they had recovered from the arrested suspect was N31,790,000, and requested a percentage of the money to jeopardize investigation and suppress the case.”
ACP Adejobi emphasized that forensic intelligence revealed the officers conspired to steal N43.16 million. “This group of officers conspired and stole part of the money, amounting to N43,160,000, and tasked one of them to move the cash out of the FCT for hiding pending when the heat blows over.”
The affected officers have been suspended and will face prosecution upon conclusion of due legal and administrative procedures.
ACP Adejobi stressed, “The movement of such an amount of money by the alleged cargo company could have been investigated and handled professionally by the police, but the officers were carried away by greed and therefore acted criminally and unprofessionally.”
ACP Adejobi urged caution, saying, “We urge the public and the media to refrain from spreading this false narrative aimed at tainting the reputation of the Inspector-General of Police.
Such misinformation undermines public trust and detracts from the ongoing efforts of the current administration to reform the Police Force by eradicating unprofessional elements.”