The FCT Police Command has placed four police officers in custody for the alleged extortion of ₦53,000 from the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, Dr. Musa Aliyu, SAN, during an unauthorised stop-and-search in Abuja.
FCT Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Sanusi, disclosed this to journalists in Abuja on Monday, describing the conduct as criminal and a breach of police discipline.
According to CP Sanusi, the officers abandoned their assigned duty posts and converged at Banex, Wuse, where they mounted an illegal checkpoint. Unaware of his identity, they allegedly compelled the ICPC Chairman to withdraw ₦53,000 via a POS operator, including transaction charges, and thereafter shared the proceeds.
“They are a gang of criminals who left various divisions, clustered together, moved to Wuse Banex and created a checkpoint where they perpetrated this act before fleeing,” Sanusi stated.
The Command said it declared the officers wanted. The gang leader was arrested first, and his statement led to the apprehension of the remaining members.
“We got all of them. We are going to make sure they are severely punished. Those that are going to be dismissed will definitely be dismissed,” the CP said.
The conduct is alleged to constitute offences under the Police Act, 2020, the Public Service Rules, and potentially Sections 397 and 416 of the Penal Code Act relating to extortion and criminal conspiracy. Internal disciplinary proceedings and criminal prosecution are expected to follow.
CP Sanusi also restated the Inspector-General of Police’s directive prohibiting indiscriminate search of citizens’ mobile phones during road patrols.
He advised members of the public not to accede to such unlawful demands and to report violations immediately through official police emergency lines.
“you cannot stop anybody on the road and ask the person to bring out his phone for search. If any policeman stops you and asks to search your phone, don’t agree. Call the police emergency lines and we will ask them why,” he said.
The Commissioner further urged citizens to report cases of extortion and misconduct, with an assurance that culpable officers will be identified, prosecuted, and dismissed where warranted.
... Four Abuja Policemen Detained for Extorting ICPC Chairman ... Naijaonpoint.