The Nigerian Police Force (NPF) on Wednesday revealed details of a forensic investigation into a smuggling scandal involving new banknotes totalling N74,950,000.
The funds, being transported on behalf of clients, were allegedly intercepted by a group of police officers who attempted to steal N43,160,000 from the total amount.
Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Muyiwa Adejobi, in a statement responded to claims circulating on social media that the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, was shielding a cartel involved in currency smuggling, emphatically refuted these allegations, calling them “baseless” and part of an attempt to tarnish the IGP’s reputation.
“The NPF categorically refutes these claims, condemning them as orchestrated attempts to undermine the IGP’s integrity and the Force,” ACP Adejobi stated.
He clarified that the officers involved in the scandal had unlawfully detained Andrew Ejah, an employee of FATFAD Cargo Nigeria Limited, who was transporting the money.
Adejobi said the officers also misrepresented the recovered amount, reporting only N31,790,000 instead of the full sum, and demanded a percentage of the money in exchange for suppressing the case.
“The officers, led by DSP Peter Ejike and Inspector Esther Okafor, were found to have illegally detained Ejah at the Zone 7 Headquarters, Abuja.
“They later fabricated evidence, claiming the total recovered amount was less, and attempted to conceal their misconduct by destroying crucial photographs of the arrest.
“Following intense investigation, forensic evidence revealed the officers had stolen a substantial portion of the cash and planned to hide it until the situation calmed down.
“The officers have been suspended, and the NPF has vowed to prosecute them for serious misconduct, including tampering with evidence and abuse of office.”
