Delta Police Command embroiled in Extortion Of N2.186Million Scandal ...Police react

A shocking case of alleged police extortion and misconduct has surfaced in Delta State, Nigeria. Mrs. Gladys Ubogu Okeoghene, a resident of Afiesere town in Ughelli, has petitioned the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), Zone 5 Police Headquarters, Benin, seeking justice and an investigation into the allegations.

According to Mrs. Okeoghene, her family's two cars, a GLK 350 and a C400, were stolen in 2022 after being handed over to a mechanic, Mr. Solomon David Orshieda, for repairs. Orshieda allegedly sold the cars and fled to Kenya. 

When Mrs. Okeoghene contacted the Nigeria Police Force (Area Command) and Investigating Police Officer (IPO) Ebinum Odiri Oghenerukevwe in October 2024, she was directed to pay a total of N2,186,000 for the recovery of the vehicles.

The payment included costs for "office movement" and "tracking." However, despite paying the requested amount, the police refused to release one of the recovered vehicles, the C400, and instead demanded additional payment. Furthermore, Mrs. Okeoghene was not informed or consulted when the police granted bail to the suspects, including Orshieda.

The IPO handling Mrs. Okeoghene's case has allegedly been intimidating and threatening her, and her recovered vehicle remains seized by the police. 

Mrs. Okeoghene is seeking justice and calling for an investigation into the allegations of police extortion and misconduct. She has copied the International Human Rights Commission, IHRC and the US Institute of Diplomacy and Human Rights, Nigeria Office, in her petition.

In a swift reaction, Delta State Police Command led by CP Olufemi Abaniwonda in a WhatsApp sent to Our Correspondent in Warri through the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright said,"This disturbing case raises concerns about police corruption and misconduct in Nigeria."

According to SP Edafe, "The Nigeria Police Force has faced numerous allegations of extortion, bribery, and human rights abuses in the past.

"It remains to be seen how the authorities will respond to Mrs. Okeoghene's petition and allegations."

SP Edafe explained that, "We arrested everybody involved and recovered one of the vehicles, only for the main suspect to appear with proof that he bought both vehicles from the woman's son and the son even sent him the original customs papers.

"It was when she found out that her son sold the vehicles, she ran away with her son from the police station and start wrong petitions up and down."

Photos from top to bottom:

1. Copy of the petition

2. Others are copies of payment vouchers.