Police Orders Prosecution of Four Officers Over ₦43 Million Theft

The Nigeria Police Force has suspended four officers implicated in the theft of ₦43.16 million from ₦74.95 million recovered during an unauthorized arrest at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja. The officers—DSP Peter Ejike, Inspector Ekende Edwin, Inspector Esther Okafor, and Sergeant Talabi Kayode—were found guilty of conspiring to tamper with evidence, abuse of office, and other misconducts.

According to the force’s spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, the officers, under the direction of DSP Ejike, arrested Andrew Ejah, an employee of FATFAD Cargo Nigeria Limited, in August 2023. Ejah was transporting the money on behalf of clients. While the officers reported recovering ₦31.79 million, they concealed an additional ₦43.16 million, which was later discovered following a petition by the money’s owners.

The case was escalated to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Monitoring Unit after the owners filed a complaint. Investigations revealed that the officers had falsely reported the amount recovered and attempted to cover their tracks by claiming technical issues with their evidence and spreading false narratives. The officers also attempted to bribe the owners to suppress the investigation by requesting a percentage of the stolen money.

The officers were found guilty of serious misconduct, including tampering with exhibits, abuse of office, and corruption. They were suspended and will face prosecution following the conclusion of legal and administrative procedures. Adejobi also condemned what he called a “sponsored misinformation campaign” aimed at implicating the IGP, Kayode Egbetokun, in the scandal. He urged the public and the media to refrain from spreading false narratives that undermine the ongoing police reform efforts.

The IGP’s office emphasized that such acts of corruption and misconduct would not be tolerated and vowed to continue efforts to reform the police force, rid it of unprofessional elements, and restore public trust.