The police have suspended four police officers for extorting N43,16million from a cargo worker in 2023, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
The suspension of the four officers was confirmed by a statement released on December 4, 2024, by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Muyiwa Ogunjobi.
Ogunjobi said that the incident which occurred on August 26, 2023, has been thoroughly investigated and DSP Peter Ejike, Inspector Ekende Edwin, Inspector Esther Okafor and Sergeant Talabi Kayode, all attached to the Zone 7 police headquarters, Abuja, were found culpable.
He revealed that Andrew Ejah, an employee of FATFAD Cargo Nigeria Limited was arrested and illegally detained by the police team led by Inspector Okafor, on the directive of DSP Ejike.
Ejah was transporting N74. 95million in cash on behalf of the customers of his company when he was arrested and detained at the Zone 7 headquarters, where the police officers purposefully misrepresented the sum recovered as N31,79million.
“The officers stated that they had seized N31,790,000 from the apprehended suspect after being contacted by the owners of the seized money. To undermine the inquiry and stifle the case, they asked for a portion of the seized funds.
“The aggrieved money owners submitted a petition to the Force Headquarters in Abuja, prompting the matter to be referred to the IGP Monitoring Unit for investigation.
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“During the procedure, the officers recovered a cash figure of N31,790,000, claiming that it was the total amount recovered from Ejah during his detention.
“They then used various techniques and gimmicks to hide their tracks. One example is the dissemination of this false narrative and misinformation throughout multiple online blogs and newspaper platforms.
“These officers have been suspended, being found culpable of serious misconduct, tampering with exhibits, abuse of office, corrupt practice, illegal duty, and acts unbecoming of a police officer,” Adejobi said.
The police image-maker urged the public and media to stop spreading false narratives that harm the reputation of the inspector-general of police.
He said such misinformation undermines public trust and hinders efforts to reform the police and remove unprofessional elements.
