The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has strongly denied allegations implicating the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, in a purported cartel involved in smuggling money from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in Abuja.
The Force’s Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, issued a statement rejecting claims that the IGP is shielding individuals involved in the alleged crime, describing these accusations as unfounded and intended to tarnish the reputation of the police leadership.
Adejobi emphasized that the group accused of perpetrating the crime would face full prosecution, and he cautioned against spreading false narratives. He also called out a suspended officer for allegedly propagating misinformation to falsely link the IGP to the money-smuggling incident.
Details of the Incident
According to the statement, the case involves four police officers: DSP Peter Ejike (a lawyer and officer in charge of Zone 7 Legal Section), Inspector Ekende Edwin, Inspector Esther Okafor, and Sergeant Talabi Kayode, all attached to the Zone 7 Headquarters in Abuja. These officers allegedly detained a man, Andrew Ejah, and extorted ₦43,160,000 from the ₦74,950,000 he was reportedly transporting for a client.
The incident occurred on August 26, 2023, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja. The officers, led by Inspector Okafor on the orders of DSP Ejike, detained Ejah—an employee of FATFAD Cargo Nigeria Limited—who was moving the money on behalf of the company’s clients. The police personnel reportedly misrepresented the seized amount as ₦31,790,000 and demanded a cut of the funds in exchange for dropping the case.
Misconduct and Investigation
Following the arrest and extortion, the alleged owners of the money petitioned the Force Headquarters, leading to an investigation by the IGP Monitoring Unit. During the probe, ₦31,790,000 was recovered from the accused officers, who falsely claimed it was the total amount confiscated during the arrest. However, forensic analysis revealed that the officers conspired to hide ₦43,160,000, which they had stolen and planned to smuggle out of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to avoid detection.
Additional evidence uncovered by investigators included photos of the suspect and the seized cash taken by the officers. Despite their claims that the phone containing the photos was damaged and lost, forensic tools confirmed their attempts to cover up the crime. The officers also spread false narratives through online media to mislead the public and discredit the IGP.
Disciplinary Actions and Prosecution
As a result of their actions, the four officers were suspended and charged with multiple offenses, including:
- Misconduct
- Tampering with evidence
- Corruption and abuse of office
- Illegal arrest and detention
Adejobi assured the public that the officers would face legal and administrative consequences, including prosecution in court. He highlighted that the incident reflects individual misconduct and not a systemic issue within the police leadership.
Warning Against False Narratives
The NPF condemned the spread of false information linking the IGP to the crime, describing it as an attempt by mischief-makers to divert attention from the criminal acts of the officers. Adejobi urged the media and the public to refrain from circulating unverified claims, as such actions could undermine trust in law enforcement and derail ongoing efforts to reform the police.
The statement reiterated the commitment of the IGP and the NPF to upholding integrity, professionalism, and transparency. It emphasized that the current administration is actively working to eliminate unprofessional elements within the police force and ensure accountability at all levels.
Call for Public Cooperation
The police called on citizens to support their efforts by reporting misconduct and cooperating with ongoing reforms aimed at improving service delivery. The NPF reaffirmed its dedication to justice, stressing that any officer found guilty of criminal behavior would be held accountable.
