The Nigeria Police Force has uncovered a scandal involving officers who allegedly attempted to divert ₦43.16 million out of ₦74.95 million in new banknotes they intercepted.
The revelation followed a forensic investigation into allegations of currency smuggling and theft by members of the Force.
According to the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Muyiwa Adejobi, the incident, which occurred on August 26, 2023, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, involved officers conspiring to steal a significant portion of the seized money.
The officers misreported the recovered amount as ₦31.79 million and even attempted to relocate part of the funds outside the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to avoid detection.
How the Incident Unfolded
The officers, identified as DSP Peter Ejike (Zone 7 Legal Section), Inspector Ekende Edwin, Inspector Esther Okafor, and Sergeant Talabi Kayode, all attached to the Zone 7 Headquarters, illegally arrested an employee of FATFAD Cargo Nigeria Limited, Mr. Andrew Ejah.
Mr. Ejah was transporting the ₦74.95 million on behalf of clients when he was detained without authorization.
During the arrest, the officers falsely reported that only ₦31.79 million was recovered and demanded a percentage of the funds to suppress any investigation into the matter.
Their actions prompted the money’s rightful owners to petition the Force Headquarters, leading to an investigation by the IGP Monitoring Unit.
Investigative Findings
Forensic intelligence revealed that the officers took photographs of the suspect and the cash at the point of arrest but later claimed that the phone used was damaged and lost.
The investigation uncovered that ₦43.16 million was removed from the total amount and concealed by the officers.
Further inquiries exposed their attempts to cover up the theft, including spreading false narratives through media outlets to divert attention from their misconduct.
The officers have since been suspended for severe breaches, including tampering with evidence, corruption, and abuse of office.
Police Response
In a statement, ACP Adejobi refuted allegations circulating on social media that Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun was shielding a cartel involved in currency smuggling.
He described the claims as baseless and a ploy to discredit the Force.
ACP Adejobi’s statement reads, “The Nigeria Police Force has noted with concern the recent allegations circulating in the media, suggesting that the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, is shielding a cartel accused of smuggling suspicious new banknotes from the Central Bank of Nigeria.
“The NPF categorically refutes these claims, condemning them as baseless and orchestrated attempts to tarnish the IGP’s reputation and the integrity of the Force.
“The incident in question, which occurred at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on August 26, 2023, has been thoroughly investigated.
“The officers involved – DSP Peter Ejike (a lawyer in charge of Zone 7 Legal Section), Inspector Ekende Edwin, Inspector Esther Okafor, and Sergeant Talabi Kayode, all attached to the Zone 7 Headquarters – were found culpable and sanctioned appropriately.
“These officers, led by Inspector Esther Okafor on the instruction of DSP Peter Ejike, unlawfully arrested Andrew Ejah, an employee of FATFAD Cargo Nigeria Limited, who was conveying the cash sum of ₦74,950,000 on behalf of clients.
“Acting without authorization, they detained Mr. Ejah at the Zone 7 Headquarters, Abuja, and deliberately misrepresented the recovered amount as ₦31,790,000.
“Upon being contacted by the alleged owners of the money, the officers claimed that the sum they had recovered from the arrested suspect was ₦31,790,000, and requested a percentage of the money to jeopardise investigation and suppress the case.
“Outraged by their actions, the money owners petitioned the Force Headquarters, Abuja and the matter was directed to the IGP Monitoring Unit for Investigation.
“During the process, the cash sum of ₦31,790,000 was recovered from the officers, who claimed that it was the total money recovered from Andrew Ejah during his arrest.
“After intense investigations and a series of trial before duly constituted disciplinary panels, it was discovered that the officers took photographs of the suspect and the sacks of monies at the point of arrest but claimed the phone they used was damaged and subsequently lost, in an attempt to conceal their misconduct.
“However, forensic intelligence showed that this group of officers conspired and stole part of the money, amounting to ₦43,160,000, and tasked one of them to move the cash out of the FCT for hiding pending when the heat blows over.
“They thereafter resorted to several tricks and gimmicks in order to cover their tracks. One of which is the spread of this false narrative and misinformation to several 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.
“The movement of such an amount of money by the alleged cargo company could have been investigated and handled professionally by the police, but the officers were carried away by greed and therefore acted criminally and unprofessionally.
“It is pertinent to note that the circulating false narrative is a sponsored misinformation cultivated by mischief makers who seek to divert attention from the criminal acts of the police officers by attempting to join issues with the Inspector-General of Police.
“The affected officers will be prosecuted upon conclusion of due legal and administrative procedures.
“We urge the public and the media to refrain from spreading this false narrative aimed at tainting the reputation of the Inspector-General of Police.
“Such misinformation undermines public trust and detracts from the ongoing efforts of the current administration to reform the Police Force by eradicating unprofessional elements.”
