The Delta State Police Command has refuted allegations that its officers extorted N2,186,000 from Mrs Gladys Ubogu Okeoghene, describing the claims as false and misleading.
In a statement issued by the command’s spokesperson, DSP Bright Edafe, the police provided a detailed account of the case, urging the public to disregard the misinformation.
The incident traces back to October 22, 2024, when Mrs Okeoghene filed a petition with the Warri Area Commander. She alleged that a car dealer had taken a Mercedes Benz GLK and a Benz C400 from her residence under the pretext of selling them.
According to her, the dealer sold the vehicles but failed to remit the proceeds, instead blocking all communication with her.
Acting on the petition, the Warri Area Commander ordered a thorough investigation, leading to the arrest of six suspects: Olayemi Abiodun Moses, Nowoke Precious, Tempo Mumandira Billion, Fabian Chinonso Udeh, Ahmed Farouk, and David Solomon. The suspects were apprehended in Lagos and Abuja.
Further investigation revealed that David Solomon, the primary dealer, had fraudulently converted the proceeds from the sale of the Benz C400. The vehicle was later recovered from Olayemi Moses, to whom Solomon had sold it.
The Mercedes Benz GLK, however, was found to have been legitimately sold for N4 million, with the funds transferred directly to the account of Mrs Okeoghene’s son, Highness Onoruikpe. Evidence, including bank SMS alerts, confirmed the transaction.
Edafe emphasised that the petitioner had not been entirely truthful in her initial complaint.
Following the discovery of the N4 million transfer, the recovered Benz C400 was returned to the police station for further investigation. However, Mrs Okeoghene allegedly abandoned the case, possibly to conceal her son’s involvement in the matter.
The command categorically denied extorting money from the petitioner, stressing that its officers acted professionally throughout the investigation.
Delta State Commissioner of Police, Olufemi Abaniwonda, advised journalists and social media users to verify facts before publishing stories to avoid spreading falsehoods.
