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The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has directed a thorough inquiry into allegations of misconduct and abuse of authority leveled against officers of the Imo State Police Command. This move stresses his commitment to accountability and restoring public trust in the force by addressing grievances against law enforcement personnel.
This development came in response to a formal complaint lodged by Anthony Osayande, a car dealer based in Edo State, who alleged that a team of policemen led by John Ebute unlawfully stormed his car dealership. According to Osayande, the officers forcibly seized five luxury vehicles and detained six of his employees during the operation.
Reports indicate that the alleged raid happened on October 17, 2024, coinciding with the period when Osayande was traveling for business, leaving the responsibility of the car stand in the hands of his staff.
He narrated how, at around 4 pm, one of his salesmen contacted him in distress, informing him about the sudden presence of policemen on the premises of his business.
“When I spoke to them, they introduced themselves as officers from the State CID, Benin City, and said they needed my attention,” Osayande said.
Osayande explained that he begged the officers over the phone to hold off on any actions until he could return to the premises. However, he claimed to have overheard someone in the background instructing them to arrest his staff members while the call was still ongoing.
Rushing back to his car stand, Osayande said he was shocked to discover that all six of his salesmen had been arrested and exotic cars carted away.
“Five luxury vehicles, including a white Lexus RX 2013 model, a black Lexus RX 2010 model, a pencil-coloured Lexus RX 2015 model, and two white GLK 2013 Mercedes Benz SUVs, were taken away by the officers. The cars are worth N132m,” he alleged.
Osayande said he went to Edo State CID, Benin but was told the policemen were from Imo State.
He said, “I rushed to the Edo State CID, Benin City, where the Policemen claimed they came from, to know what the problem was, only to be told that the policemen were actually from Imo State Police Command and not Edo State.
Osayande stated that his lawyer petitioned the Inspector General of Police over the matter.
In a letter marked CZ:7050/IGP.SEC/ABJ/VOL.171/143, the Principal Staff Officer II to the Inspector-General of Police, Asuquo Effiong, directed the DCP of the IGP Monitoring Unit at Force Headquarters, Abuja, to investigate the allegations against the policemen.
Also, a wireless message sighted by our correspondent and addressed to the Imo State Commissioner of Police, the Monitoring Unit accused the policemen of failing to appear for interrogation.
The unit noted that the IG was displeased with their absence and had directed the O/C Provost to escort some officers from the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, along with the original case file and five vehicles, to respond to the allegations against them on November 15.
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It partly read, “Be informed that further investigation into the matter has been stalled as the affected officers of yours have yet to report despite all the above-quoted signals. The Inspector General of Police is miffed at it.
“He further directs O/C provost of yours to be detailed to escort CSP Oladimeji Odeyeyiwa, Commander Anti-Kidnapping, ASP John Ebute, ASP Odeh Ejeh, W/SGT Alice and eight others attached to the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of yours along with original case file and five exhibit vehicles on Friday 15/11/2024 to respond to the allegations against them.”
The Force spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, could not be reached for comment and has yet to respond to the message sent to him as of the time of filing this report.
One of the police officers invited in connection with the matter, identified simply as Sergeant Alice was contacted to explain why they had not honoured the invitation or returned the vehicles.
In response, she said, “I am not aware.” When asked if she was a member of the team, she again stated, “I am not aware.”
The spokesperson for Imo State Police Command, Henry Okoye, said the vehicles would be returned if they were not stolen.
He said, “Your complaint is well noted and will be investigated. One thing I can assure you is that if the alleged vehicles are not stolen, they will certainly be returned to the owner.
“The NPF is a regimental and disciplined organisation. If there is a directive, it will be followed to the letter.”
