The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba has assured the public of discreet investigation into the alleged extortion of N22m worth of bitcoin by its personnel in Lagos State.
The investigation became necessary after a human rights lawyer, Adegbola Odunemi called on the inspector general of police to look into the unethical practices of some police officers in Alagbon.
Dsp. Nwawe Cordelia with force number 14534 and Inspector Austin, attached to the Force Criminal Investigation Department Annex, Alagbon Close, Lagos State were alleged to have extorted Morakinyo Tobiloba Peter and Yusuf Samson Dayo N22million worth of bitcoin.
Africa Investigative Magazine gathered that the victims were driving on July 14, 2021, along the Ikoyi expressway when they were flagged down by the officers who treated them like criminals and threatened to kill them if they could afford N20million as bail.
The police, however, have established a Special Investigation Panel to carry out a discreet and transparent investigation into the allegation.
The Police Service Commission has also directed the indicted officers to appear before the Panel, Force Headquarters Abuja, on December 21, 2021, headed by DCP Olaolu Adegbite, MFR, of the Force Intelligence Bureau (FIB).
The Force spokesman, CP Frank Mba, in a statement explained that a person with broad knowledge in the investigation of corruption-related cases will not pervert justice.
He said, “DCP Adegbite holds a Masters Degree in Philology (Russian Language) from the Pushkin Institute, Moscow, Russia, and is an alumnus of the FBI National Academy, Quantico, Virginia, USA. DCP Adegbite, a member of the Order of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (MFR), was a pioneer investigator with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) where he rose to be Director of Operations (2012-2015).
The Force advises any member of the public who has had similar experiences of high-handedness or extortion by the officers in question, her team, or any other officer at the FCID Alagbon to come forward with detailed information to enable the panel to achieve a holistic investigation.
Meanwhile, it is vital to state that the alleged actions of the Police Officers in question do not represent the standards and practices of the Nigeria Police Force and as such any officer found wanting will be visited with the full wrath of the law. Members of the public are enjoined to remain calm as the Force will provide timely updates and make the outcome of the investigation public.”
