The Nigeria Police Force has refuted allegations linking its Inspector-General, Kayode Egbetokun, to a smuggling operation involving suspicious new banknotes from the Central Bank of Nigeria.
In a statement by Force Public Relations Officer Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the claims were dismissed as baseless and part of an orchestrated effort to tarnish the IGP’s reputation and the integrity of the Force.
Adejobi clarified that the incident in question, which took place at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport on August 26, 2023, was thoroughly investigated, and the officers involved were appropriately sanctioned.
The officers—DSP Peter Ejike, a lawyer heading the Zone 7 Legal Section, along with Inspectors Ekende Edwin and Esther Okafor, and Sergeant Talabi Kayode—were accused of unlawfully arresting Mr. Andrew Ejah, an employee of FATFAD Cargo Nigeria Limited. Mr. Ejah had been transporting N74,950,000 on behalf of clients when he was detained without proper authorization.
According to the statement, the officers, led by Inspector Okafor on DSP Ejike’s instruction, falsely claimed the recovered amount was N31,790,000 and demanded a percentage of the funds to suppress the investigation.
“The officers further detained the suspect at Zone 7 Headquarters, Abuja, and deliberately misrepresented the recovered amount to extort a share of the money,” Adejobi revealed.
The alleged owners of the funds, dissatisfied with the officers’ actions, petitioned the Force Headquarters, prompting an investigation by the IGP Monitoring Unit.
Adejobi assured the public that those found culpable had been held accountable, reiterating the Force’s commitment to maintaining its integrity and upholding justice.
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