The Nigeria Police Force has announced the suspension of four officers implicated in the theft of ₦43.16 million from a total of ₦74.95 million recovered during an unauthorized arrest at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
In a statement on Wednesday, Force spokesperson Muyiwa Adejobi revealed that the officers—DSP Peter Ejike, Inspector Ekende Edwin, Inspector Esther Okafor, and Sergeant Talabi Kayode, all attached to Zone 7 Headquarters—were found guilty of conspiring to tamper with exhibits, abuse of office, and other serious misconduct.
Adejobi explained that the officers, led by Inspector Okafor under DSP Ejike’s command, had arrested Andrew Ejah, an employee of FATFAD Cargo Nigeria Limited, in August 2023. Ejah had been transporting the money on behalf of clients when the officers seized it. However, the officers allegedly reported only ₦31.79 million as the recovered amount, concealing the remaining ₦43.16 million.
The matter came to light after a petition was filed by the owners of the money, prompting an investigation by the IGP Monitoring Unit. Adejobi stated that the investigation revealed the officers conspired to steal part of the cash and attempted to cover their actions by fabricating false narratives and claiming technical issues with evidence.
“Upon being contacted by the alleged owners of the money, the officers claimed they had recovered ₦31,790,000 and demanded a percentage of the funds to suppress the investigation. The outraged money owners petitioned the Force Headquarters, leading to an investigation by the IGP Monitoring Unit,” Adejobi said.
He added that, during the investigation, ₦31.79 million was recovered from the officers, who initially claimed it was the full amount seized from Ejah. Further scrutiny revealed that the officers had photographed the suspect and the sacks of money at the scene of the arrest but later claimed the phone used to take the pictures was damaged and lost in a bid to conceal their wrongdoing.
The officers also spread false information to the media in an attempt to cover their tracks. “These officers have been suspended for serious misconduct, including tampering with exhibits, abuse of office, corruption, illegal duty, and actions unbecoming of a police officer,” the statement concluded.
Adejobi also condemned what he described as a “sponsored misinformation campaign” aimed at implicating the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, in the scandal. He dismissed claims suggesting that the IGP was protecting a cartel involved in smuggling suspicious new banknotes from the Central Bank of Nigeria.
“It is important to note that the false narratives circulating are part of a misinformation campaign orchestrated by mischief-makers seeking to divert attention from the officers’ criminal actions,” Adejobi said. He assured that the officers would face prosecution once legal and administrative procedures were completed.
The police spokesperson urged the public and the media to avoid spreading false information that undermines public trust in the police force, emphasizing the current administration’s commitment to reforming the police and eliminating unprofessional elements.
