Nigerian Police Service Commission Petitioned To Probe Enugu CP Uzuegbu Over Extortion Of N62million From Businessman Labelled As IPOB Member

The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has written to the Police Service Commission (PSC), demanding a comprehensive independent investigation into the alleged extortion of N62million from a businessman, one Mr. Olu Agwu, by the Enugu State Police Commissioner, and the Command. 

SaharaReporters had reported on Thursday that Agwu was forced to pay N62million into different accounts fronted by some senior police officers to avoid traces, in a disturbing trend of labelling high-profile victims as members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) with a view to extorting money from their victims. 

In a response to the allegations, the Enugu Police Command had issued a statement denying the accusations, calling them "unfounded." 

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The statement signed by its Command's spokesperson SP Daniel Ndukwe, claimed that "there is no evidence that the suspect paid N2 million to any Investigating Police Officer (IPO) in the Anti-Kidnapping office, as the alleged IPO with the name Emmanuel Ahamefuna, does not exist in the office." 

Despite the denials, more facts emerged on how the police commissioner, Mr Kanayo Uzuegbu, was directly involved in the extortion.

SaharaReporters earlier reported that it obtained receipts showing that N2million was paid into an account associated with an investigating police officer named Emmanuel Ahamefuna. 

However, the officer's real name is revealed to be Onyeisi and he hails from the Nsukka area of Enugu.

Security sources had confirmed that the commander of the anti-kidnap squad, admitted in front of the Commissioner of Police (CP) that the IPO answers Emmanuel Ahamefuna as a cover for his activities. 

Reacting to the incident, RULAAC in an open letter dated February 15, 2025, signed by its Executive Director, Okechukwu Nwanguma and addressed to the Chairman of PSC, said that the Nigeria Police Force could not be a judge in its own case.

Nwanguma said, “We note that the NPF has issued a rebuttal to the news report detailing the alleged incident. 

“However, we believe that the NPF cannot be a judge in its own case. 

“We therefore request the PSC's intervention particularly as the IGP and other senior Police Officers have been accused of alleged involvement in the saga.

“This troubling pattern of labeling and extorting innocent individuals must be addressed promptly. 

“RULAAC calls for an exhaustive, independent and impartial investigation into the actions of the officers involved, particularly those from the anti-kidnapping squad and SWAT teams. 

“It is imperative to verify the claims of collusion within the police ranks and to hold all responsible parties accountable.

“Moreover, it is essential that Mr. Agwu be heard in a non threatening atmosphere and that effective remedies and protection are provided for him, including the return of his vehicle unlawfully held by the police and safeguards against retaliation or further harassment.

“Community trust in law enforcement diminishes when such abuses occur. 

“RULAAC urges the PSC to ensure that the investigation is conducted transparently and that this type of misconduct is eradicated from the ranks of the Nigeria Police Force.” 

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