Trial Looms For Four Suspended Police Officers Involved In N43m Theft

Trial Looms For Four Suspended Police Officers Involved In N43m TheftThe Nigeria Police Force has announced the suspension of four officers involved in the theft of N43.16 million from a total of N74.95 million recovered during an unauthorized arrest at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

In addition to the suspensions, the police dismissed claims suggesting that Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun was shielding a cartel responsible for smuggling new, suspiciously large quantities of banknotes from the Central Bank of Nigeria.

The suspended officers—DSP Peter Ejike, Inspector Ekende Edwin, Inspector Esther Okafor, and Sergeant Talabi Kayode—were assigned to Zone 7 Headquarters. The officers, led by Inspector Okafor under DSP Ejike’s directive, arrested Andrew Ejah, an employee of FATFAD Cargo Nigeria Limited, who was transporting cash for clients in August 2023.

Following the arrest, the officers reported recovering N31.79 million from Ejah, concealing the remaining N43.16 million. The discrepancy was revealed after the money’s owners filed a petition, prompting an investigation by the IGP Monitoring Unit.

A statement by Force spokesperson Muyiwa Adejobi on Wednesday confirmed that the officers had conspired to steal part of the cash. They attempted to cover their tracks by claiming technical issues with evidence and spreading false narratives.

Adejobi explained that after being contacted by the money’s owners, the officers claimed the amount recovered from the arrested suspect was N31.79 million, and requested a bribe to suppress the case. The owners of the money petitioned the Force Headquarters, prompting an investigation. The officers were found to have recovered only N31.79 million, which they claimed was the entire sum.

Further investigation revealed that the officers had taken photos of the suspect and the seized money at the time of the arrest, but later claimed that the phone used to capture the images was damaged and lost. Forensic evidence, however, showed that the officers had conspired to steal N43.16 million, which they attempted to hide by moving it out of the Federal Capital Territory.

“These officers were involved in serious misconduct, including tampering with evidence, abuse of office, corruption, and acts unbecoming of police officers,” Adejobi stated.

The spokesperson also condemned a “sponsored misinformation campaign” aimed at implicating the IGP in the scandal. He urged the public and media to avoid spreading false narratives that undermine the efforts to reform the police force and restore public trust.

The suspended officers will face prosecution after the completion of the legal and administrative processes.

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