Police suspend officers who extorted N43m from Abuja cargo worker

The police have suspended Inspector Ekende Edwin, Inspector Esther Okafor, and Sergeant Talabi Kayode, who stole the sum of ₦43,160,000 from Andrew Ejah, a cargo worker in August 2023.

This information was disclosed in a press statement signed by Muyiwa Adejobi, the Force PRO, on Wednesday morning.

“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 statement read in part.

Ejah, the cargo worker, was conveying the sum of ₦74,950,000 on behalf of clients in cash when he was accosted by the police officers at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on August 26, 2023.

Investigations by the NPF revealed that this group of officers who were led by Inspector Esther Okafor on the instruction of DSP Peter Ejike, conspired and stole part of the money, amounting to N43,160,000.

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The corrupt police officers unlawfully arrested and detained the caro worker at Zone 7 Headquarters, Abuja, without authorisation. After perpetuating this crime, resorted to tricks and gimmicks, including tasking one of them to move the cash out of the FCT for hiding in order to conceal their crime.

The NPF noted that this case led to a widespread allegations in the media against Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), who was accused of shielding a cartel accused of smuggling suspicious new banknotes from the Central Bank of Nigeria.

“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.”

Adejobi also urged Nigeria to desist from spreading the narrative that the IGP was shielding a cartel, as it was aimed at aimed at damaging his reputation.
“Such misinformation undermines public trust and detracts from the ongoing efforts of the current administration to reform the Police Force by eradicating unprofessional elements,” Adejobi added.