Kehinde Fajobi
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has uncovered a case of misconduct involving officers who attempted to steal ₦43,160,000 from a total of ₦74,950,000 in new banknotes allegedly smuggled on behalf of clients.
Addressing allegations circulating on social media that Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun was shielding a currency smuggling cartel, Force Public Relations Officer ACP Muyiwa Adejobi dismissed the claims as false and malicious.
“The Nigeria Police Force categorically refutes these claims, condemning them as baseless and orchestrated attempts to tarnish the IGP’s reputation and the integrity of the Force,” Adejobi said in a statement on Wednesday.
The incident occurred on August 26, 2023, at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. Four officers – DSP Peter Ejike, Inspector Ekende Edwin, Inspector Esther Okafor, and Sergeant Talabi Kayode – intercepted the cash, arrested a cargo company employee, and detained him without authorisation.
According to Adejobi, “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.”
They falsely declared the recovered amount as ₦31,790,000 and demanded a share to suppress the investigation.
The owners of the money petitioned Force Headquarters, prompting an inquiry by the IGP Monitoring Unit.
“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,” Adejobi revealed.
Photographs of the suspect and the money were taken during the arrest, but the officers claimed the phone used was damaged and lost in an attempt to conceal their actions.
The officers were found guilty of misconduct, tampering with evidence, abuse of office, and corrupt practices. They have been suspended and will face prosecution.
Adejobi said, “These officers have been suspended, being found culpable of serious misconduct…
“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.”
He also urged the public to disregard misinformation aimed at implicating the IGP.
“Such misinformation undermines public trust and detracts from the ongoing efforts of the current administration to reform the Police Force by eradicating unprofessional elements.”
The NPF assured the public that the matter would be resolved following due legal and administrative processes.