The Nigeria Police Force Headquarters has revealed that a forensic investigation into an alleged smuggling scandal involving new banknotes amounting to N74.95 million has exposed attempts by some officers to divert N43.16 million from the sum.

Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, addressed the issue amidst social media claims that Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, was shielding a currency smuggling cartel.

Adejobi clarified: “This group of officers conspired and stole part of the money, amounting to N43.16 million, and tasked one of them to move the cash out of the Federal Capital Territory for hiding, pending when the heat blows over.”

He further disclosed that the allegations of currency smuggling were thoroughly investigated, and it was discovered that the implicated officers had illegally intercepted the money and detained an employee of the company that owned the cash without due authorisation.

In a statement, Adejobi said: “The Nigeria Police Force has noted with concern the recent allegations circulating in the media, suggesting that IGP Egbetokun is shielding a cartel accused of smuggling suspicious new banknotes from the Central Bank of Nigeria.

“The NPF categorically refutes these claims, condemning them as baseless and orchestrated attempts to tarnish the IGP’s reputation and the integrity of the force.

“The incident in question, which occurred at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on August 26, 2023, has been thoroughly investigated.

“The officers involved – DSP Peter Ejike (a lawyer in charge of Zone 7 Legal Section), Inspector Ekende Edwin, Inspector Esther Okafor, and Sergeant Talabi Kayode, all attached to the Zone 7 Headquarters – were found culpable and sanctioned appropriately.

“These officers, led by Inspector Esther Okafor, on the instruction of DSP Peter Ejike, unlawfully arrested Andrew Ejah, an employee of FATFAD Cargo Nigeria Limited, who was conveying the cash sum of N7.95 million on behalf of clients.

“Acting without authorisation, they detained Mr Ejah at the Zone 7 Headquarters, Abuja, and deliberately misrepresented the recovered amount as N31.79 million.”