N62m Extortion Scandal in Enugu Police Command: Mike Ozekhome Chambers Petitions IGP, Demands Refund, Probe
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The embattled Enugu State Police Command continues to face mounting pressure as more damning details emerge about the alleged extortion of a staggering N62 million from businessman Olu Agwu by the state’s anti-kidnapping squad. Amidst the allegations, the involvement of the Police Commissioner, Mr. Kanayo Uzuegbu, has now come under intense scrutiny.
On Thursday, reports surfaced detailing how Agwu was coerced into transferring the hefty sum to various accounts allegedly managed by certain police officers. This incident forms part of a broader, alarming pattern wherein high-profile individuals are falsely labeled as members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in order to extort large sums from them.
In a strongly-worded petition to the Inspector General of Police, Nigeria Police Force Headquarters in Abuja, constitutional lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Prof. Mike Ozekhome, detailed the harrowing ordeal faced by Agwu. The petition highlighted the unlawful arrest, detention, and extortion endured by Agwu under the guise of combating terrorism and IPOB activities.
The petition revealed that Agwu, a law-abiding Nigerian residing in Lagos, fell victim to a concocted plot initiated by his business associate, Michael Umeh. Umeh, with the alleged assistance of the Enugu Police Command, accused Agwu of being a member of IPOB and the Eastern Security Network (ESN) following a business dispute. Agwu was subsequently arrested on December 26, 2024, and has since endured severe torture, intimidation, and financial demands under duress.
The extortion scheme, involving significant figures such as Hon Ochi Nonso and a certain ‘Daddy White,’ saw Agwu parting with N62 million to avoid further torture and false charges. Nonso, reportedly introduced by the Police Commissioner himself, collected N20 million purportedly on behalf of the commissioner. Further, the investigating police officer demanded N2 million to alter Agwu’s forced statement, while new demands for an additional N100 million threaten Agwu’s safety and finances.
Prof. Ozekhome’s petition also calls for an urgent and thorough investigation into the spurious allegations against Agwu, the immediate cessation of further threats, and the refund of the extorted N62 million. The Enugu State Police Command’s actions, as outlined in the petition, represent a severe breach of legal and ethical standards, calling into question the integrity of the force.
As the scandal unfolds, the Nigerian public watches closely, demanding accountability and justice for Mr Olu Agwu and other potential victims of such egregious misconduct within the police ranks. The call for intervention by the Inspector General of Police marks a critical juncture in the fight against corruption and the abuse of power within the Nigerian Police Force.
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