Rights Activist, Joe, Petitions IGP, Says Police Extorted Over ₦80M, ₦4M Gold Chain From Taskforce Chairman In Rivers, Demands Refund

Human Rights Activist, Comrade Israel Joe has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Egbetokun, the Police Service Commission, PSC and other relevant agencies, saying policemen in the Rivers State Police Command’s Criminal Investigation Department, CID allegedly extorted over eighty million naira(₦80million) from one Mr. Atubi Davidson in the Oil City of Rivers State.

Comrade Joe added that the Policemen also carted away a gold neck chain belonging to the victim in addition to his Chevrolet and Toyota Camry cars, plasma television, clothes and shoes.

He said the gold neck chain is valued at four million naira(₦4million).

Comrade Joe said the Policemen involved in the criminal act should be immediately arrested, investigated, prosecuted in line with the law and be made to refund the money if they are found wanting.

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Comrade Joe stressed that the nation cannot afford to keep criminals in police uniform just as he vowed to tender neccessary evidences to this very matter.

In the petition dated 21 September has been received by the Departments of Finance&Admin, Force Headquarters, Abuja.

In the petition, Comrade Joe alleged that Policemen busted the victim’s house on 14th September and arrested him with four others including a female.

He said the policemen searched the victim’s apartment and found about a hundred million naira both in dollar and in Nigerian currency meant for the payment of Surveillance men gaurding oil facilities.

According to Comrade Joe,”The Police took the money. They also took away two of the victim’s cars(a Chevrolet and Toyota) along with neck chain valued at over 4 million naira and other properties.

“They kept the victim incommunicado and released the others on bail worth millions of naira.

“Still in police custody, an investigation was carried out which shows fact that the money was meant for payment of surveillance workers.

“The Police went into negotiation with the victim that the money be shared into two parts.”

“Meanwhile, they had compelled the victim to write more than five different statements. In some, they forced him to write that he is a kidnapper. In others, they forced him to write that he is into internet fraud and in another development, they forced him to write that he is an armed robber, murderer or a sea pirate.

“In all, the victim maintained his cool and told them about the genuineness of the money and if they refused to give him the money, he would not be able to pay the team guiding the quartets of oil facilities allocated to him to secure.

“On Monday, the 18th of September, my team and I arrived the State CID in the company of the father who informed us of the development. The Police held their ground that they wish to take a better percentage of the money. The team members include, Come. Marcus, Come Blessing Agnese, Come Terry Oteri and Come Ajokpe Akpomie.

“I reached out to the Commissioner of Police,CP Muazu who called the AC investigations and told me to meet up with him. The AC Investigations (Olayinka Ajeigbe) told CP Muazu that the man is a kidnapper and they are carrying out investigations. I met with the AC who told me that they already know that the man is a chairman of oil facilities but he must be ready to part a better percentage of the money and he also wanted the Chevrolet vehicle.

“I reached out to Barr. Henry Ekine, the National Legal Adviser of Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) who we met and he called the State PPRO who said she would get back to him. The PPRO later called . The AC investigations who also said they are investigating the matter.

“The Force PPRO, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi later sent me the phone number of the CP who didn’t pick up his calls at that material time.

“That faithful Monday evening, the IPO seeing the pressure and calls from different quarters called us to come over when we got there, he alleged that they would send ₦30million to the Inspector-General of Police, ₦15million to the CP, ₦10million to other hierarchy of police including the AC investigations and share the others.

“The IPO also told us that they would give whatever is left to the victim including his two cars . At about 7pm in the evening, they released the two cars to him, handed over a small bag to him and told us to ensure we leave Port-Harcourt. I was just watching their every move. When we got outside, we discovered that the police only released 9million in dollars and ₦3million in cash making it about ₦12million.”

Comrade Joe also said the Police threatened them that no one should hear about the matter oherwise, they will be dealt with.

“They also told us that such monies come from government. So, the victim should be able to cover up with subsequent monies,” he said.