Lagos Police Officer Accused of Torture, Extorting N13 Million from Detained Businesswoman
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Lagos Police Officer Accused of Torture, Extorting N13 Million from Detained Businesswoman
A police officer attached to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Yaba, Lagos, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) John Alabi, is facing serious allegations of professional misconduct, including torture, inhumane treatment, and extortion, brought forward by a businesswoman, Mrs. Nnoma Ugochukwu Nze.
Nze, through her legal counsel, Goddy Ezimoha & Co, filed two separate petitions dated October 21, 2024, and January 6, 2025, addressed to the Lagos State Commissioner of Police. In the documents, she accused Alabi of orchestrating her prolonged detention to forcibly access her bank accounts and transfer N13 million to third-party accounts under the guise of debt recovery.
Her ordeal began in July 2024 following a petition to the SCID by Prophetess Chidinma Nwayima, alleging that Nze defrauded her of N100 million between 2019 and 2024. Nze said she was detained for a month, during which time Alabi allegedly obtained a questionable detention order and pressured her into revealing her bank details.
According to the petitions, on July 26, 2024, she was forced to transfer N9 million from her son’s Zenith Bank account. Despite the payment, she was returned to the cell and the police allegedly maintained that she wouldn’t be granted bail unless the full N100 million was recovered. On July 31, 2024, she reportedly transferred another N4 million from her UBA account to a GTB account. She claimed Alabi warned her against informing her lawyer or family about the transactions.
Nze was eventually arraigned on August 6, 2024, at Magistrate’s Court 9, Ebute Metta, but the N13 million in question was neither included in the charge sheet nor listed as an exhibit.
Nze’s lawyer described the alleged conduct of Alabi and his accomplices, including a woman identified as Ms. Tope, as corrupt and malicious.
“It is imperative to bring to your notice that our client’s rent, which runs from June 15 to May 31 annually, had already been paid for the year on June 5, 2024,” the petition read. “The forced transfers, totalling N13 million, were never intended for rent or any lawful purpose.”
The legal team is demanding a full refund of the N13 million and disciplinary action against the officers involved. ASP Alabi declined to comment, referring inquiries to the Lagos Police Command spokesperson.
Responding to the allegations, Lagos State Police Command spokesperson Benjamin Hundeyin said:
“This case has been reported at the Lagos State Police Command, Zone 2, and the Complaint Response Unit in Abuja. In all these places, no evidence of foul play was found. The Command will not succumb to media pressure but will continue to uphold best practices in its investigations.”
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