A legal officer with the Zone 7 Legal Section, DSP Peter Ejike, has reportedly been dismissed from the Nigeria Police Force over allegations of fraud and professional misconduct.
Ejike, who had been implicated in colluding with Prophet Ebuka Obi of the Zion Prayer Movement Outreach to unlawfully prosecute a blogger, Chizorom Harrison Ofoegbu, popularly known as “Ijele Speaks,” was dismissed following an internal investigation.
Background on the Dismissal
In December 2024, Ejike, alongside Inspectors Ekende Edwin, Esther Okafor, and Sergeant Talabi Kayode, all stationed at Zone 7 Headquarters in Abuja, was suspended after being accused of misconduct. Sources confirmed to Sahara Reporters on Saturday that Ejike and the implicated officers have now been officially dismissed from the force.
“The officer, Peter Ejike, who collaborated with Prophet Ebuka Obi to unlawfully prosecute Ijele Speaks, has been sacked for another case of fraud,” a source revealed.
When contacted, Ikechukwu Ani, spokesperson for the Police Service Commission (PSC), noted that while he could not confirm the dismissal immediately, disciplinary actions for senior officers fall under the purview of the PSC, whereas the Inspector General of Police oversees cases involving junior officers.
Corruption and Embezzlement Allegations
The dismissed officers were previously linked to a corruption case involving ₦74,950,000 intercepted at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on August 26, 2023. The money, being transported by Andrew Ejah, an employee of FATFAD Cargo Nigeria Limited, was reportedly misappropriated.
Although the recovered amount was initially declared as ₦31,790,000, investigations revealed that the officers had embezzled ₦43,160,000 from the funds. According to ACP Muyiwa Ogunjobi, the officers detained Ejah without authorization and demanded a cut of the money to suppress the investigation.
The rightful owners of the money eventually petitioned the Force Headquarters, prompting an inquiry that exposed the officers’ misconduct, tampering with evidence, and abuse of power.
The Blogger Controversy: Targeting ‘Ijele Speaks’
The controversy involving blogger Chizorom Harrison Ofoegbu, widely known as “Ijele Speaks,” took center stage when the blogger accused Prophet Ebuka Obi of performing fake miracles. Obi, in response, filed a petition that led to Ofoegbu’s arrest on charges of cyberstalking and conduct likely to breach the peace.
Human rights advocate Prince Okechukwu Emezu later brought the case to public attention, writing to the Inspector General of Police in September 2024. Emezu described the blogger’s detention as unlawful and claimed it was driven by personal vendettas orchestrated by Ejike.
Allegations of Abuse and Poisoning
Emezu further alleged that during his detention, Ofoegbu was transferred multiple times, denied bail despite meeting the conditions, and subjected to inhumane treatment. The most alarming claim involved deliberate poisoning while in custody at Ikoyi Prison, allegedly orchestrated by individuals sympathetic to Obi’s Zion Ministries.
The poisoning reportedly led to catastrophic health complications, including kidney failure and multiple cardiac arrests. Ofoegbu narrowly survived thanks to the intervention of a compassionate prison officer who alerted his family.
“It was in Ikoyi Prison, where staff sympathetic to IPOB and influenced by Mr. Obi’s Zion Ministries, systematically poisoned Mr. Ofoegbu. Within days, both of his kidneys failed,” Emezu stated.
Emezu further revealed that Ofoegbu was eventually rushed to a hospital in Lagos, where he was diagnosed with kidney failure. The lawyer accused the prison authorities of attempting to cover up the incident by hurriedly transferring the blogger to a medical facility after his condition deteriorated.
Implications and Public Reactions
The dismissal of Ejike and the implicated officers marks a significant step in addressing misconduct within the Nigeria Police Force. However, the allegations surrounding Ofoegbu’s detention and health crisis raise broader concerns about the misuse of power and the violation of human rights.
Human rights groups and the public continue to demand accountability for those involved in the blogger’s persecution, calling for further investigations to ensure justice is served.
