IG Orders Suspension, Prosecution of Four Police Officers for Stealing ₦43 Million
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered the suspension and prosecution of four police officers implicated in the theft of ₦43.16 million from a recovered sum of ₦74.95 million during an unauthorised arrest at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
The officers—DSP Peter Ejike, Inspector Ekende Edwin, Inspector Esther Okafor, and Sergeant Talabi Kayode—are attached to the Zone 7 Headquarters of the Nigeria Police Force. Force spokesperson Muyiwa Adejobi disclosed on Wednesday that the officers had been found guilty of conspiring to tamper with exhibits, abuse of office, and other acts of misconduct.
The incident occurred in August 2023 when the officers arrested Andrew Ejah, an employee of FATFAD Cargo Nigeria Limited, who was transporting the cash on behalf of clients. The officers reportedly declared only ₦31.79 million from the recovered amount, concealing the remaining ₦43.16 million.
The owners of the money petitioned the Force Headquarters, prompting the IGP Monitoring Unit to investigate. Adejobi explained that investigations revealed that the officers conspired to steal part of the cash and attempted to cover their tracks by spreading false narratives and fabricating claims about evidence.
“Upon being contacted by the alleged owners of the money, the officers claimed that the sum they had recovered was ₦31,790,000 and requested a percentage to jeopardise investigations and suppress the case. The petition from the money owners exposed their actions,” the statement read.
The investigation uncovered that the officers took photographs of the suspect and the cash during the arrest but later claimed that the phone containing the evidence was damaged and lost.
“They resorted to various tricks, including spreading misinformation to online blogs and newspapers, to divert attention from their misconduct,” Adejobi added.
The statement condemned attempts to link IGP Egbetokun to the incident through what it described as a “sponsored misinformation campaign.”
“These officers have been suspended and will face prosecution for serious misconduct, tampering with exhibits, corrupt practices, illegal duties, and acts unbecoming of police officers,” Adejobi said.
He dismissed allegations that the IGP was shielding a cartel accused of smuggling suspicious new banknotes from the Central Bank of Nigeria, describing the claims as baseless attempts to tarnish the IGP’s reputation.
“The public and media are urged to refrain from spreading false narratives that undermine public trust and detract from the ongoing efforts to reform the Police Force,” Adejobi concluded.
The four officers are expected to face both legal and administrative proceedings as part of the IGP’s broader push for accountability and professionalism in the Nigeria Police Force.
