In a shocking case of corruption, police officers in Nigeria have been exposed for stealing ₦43.16 million from a total of ₦74.95 million in new banknotes being moved on behalf of clients.
The investigation, carried out by forensic intelligence teams, uncovered how the officers had not only intercepted the money but also tried to hide their theft by concocting a series of lies.
According to Force Public Relations Officer Mr. Muyiwa Adejobi, the officers’ actions were part of a larger conspiracy to steal part of the money and make it disappear.
The scandal erupted after social media users accused the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, of shielding a cartel of currency smugglers involved in the incident.
“This group of officers conspired and stole part of the money, amounting to N43.16 million,” Adejobi said in a statement. “They tasked one of them to move the cash out of the Federal Capital Territory for hiding, pending when the heat blows over.”
The officers involved, including DSP Peter Ejike, Inspector Ekende Edwin, Inspector Esther Okafor, and Sergeant Talabi Kayode, were all attached to the Zone 7 Headquarters in Abuja.
The Illegal Arrest and Cover-Up
The money in question was being transported by Andrew Ejah, an employee of FATFAD Cargo Nigeria Limited. Ejah was carrying ₦7.95 million on behalf of clients when he was unlawfully arrested by the police officers.
At the time of his arrest, the officers detained Ejah at the Zone 7 Headquarters in Abuja, claiming that they had recovered ₦31.79 million, a figure they later insisted was the total amount seized from him.
However, further investigation revealed that the true amount was ₦74.95 million, of which ₦43.16 million had been stolen.
“The officers misrepresented the recovered amount as N31.79 million,” Adejobi explained. “They further demanded a percentage of the funds to suppress the case and jeopardize the investigation.”
The officers went as far as to claim that the money they seized was just over ₦31 million, and they requested a cut of it to keep the matter quiet. They were brazen in their attempts to cover up their misconduct.
The Truth Uncovered
Outraged by the officers’ behavior, the owners of the money filed a petition with the Force Headquarters. This led to a deeper investigation, which was handed over to the IGP Monitoring Unit.
As the investigation progressed, the officers’ attempts to mislead authorities were revealed. They had claimed that the phone used to take photographs of the suspect and the cash had been damaged and lost, an obvious attempt to destroy evidence.
Forensic intelligence, however, exposed the truth: the officers had stolen ₦43.16 million and tried to hide it. They even took steps to cover their tracks by spreading false information about the case on social media.
“During the investigation, the officers tried several tricks to cover their tracks, including spreading misinformation to various online blogs and newspapers,” Adejobi said.
Despite their efforts to conceal their crime, the police officers were found guilty after a thorough investigation and disciplinary hearings.
Consequences for the Officers Involved
The police officers were found guilty of serious misconduct, including abuse of office, corruption, and tampering with evidence. They have been suspended from duty pending further disciplinary action.
“The movement of such an amount of money by the alleged cargo company could have been investigated and handled professionally,” Adejobi said. “But the officers were carried away by greed and acted criminally.”
The involvement of the police in such a scandal has raised concerns about the extent of corruption within the force and the need for stricter measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Public Outcry and Calls for Reform
The news of the theft has sparked outrage across Nigeria, with many citizens calling for immediate reform within the police force. The case has shed light on the systemic issues of corruption and abuse of power that continue to plague the police force.
“This is another clear example of how corruption has eaten deep into our institutions,” said a concerned citizen. “The police are supposed to protect us, not steal from us.”
The theft of ₦43.16 million has also brought attention to the larger issue of money laundering and illegal currency smuggling, with many questioning how often such practices occur within the police and other government agencies.
