VANGUARD
The Police at Force headquarters on Wednesday disclosed that forensic intelligence and investigation into an alleged smuggling scandal of New Bank Notes totalling N74,950,000 which was being moved on behalf of clients has revealed that some officers attempted to steal N43,160,000 of the money.
Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Muyiwa Adejobi who made this clarification against the backdrop of social media allegations that IGP Kayode Egbetokun was shielding a cartel of currency smugglers, noted, “This group of officers conspired and stole part of the money, amounting to N43,160,000, and tasked one of them to move the cash out of the FCT for hiding pending when the heat blows over.
He said the allegations of currency smuggling were thoroughly investigated, the Police officers were found to have acted illegally by intercepting the cash and detaining an employee of the company which owned the money without authorization.
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.
“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.
