A Nigerian businessman, Cyril Obazuaye, has issued a seven-day final notice to the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, demanding an investigation into allegations of misconduct, abuse of office and obstruction of justice by senior officers of the Federal Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), Abuja, over the controversial handling of his ₦600 million Rolls-Royce Phantom Convertible.
Obazuaye accused the police authorities of failing to investigate allegations that senior officers frustrated efforts to recover his luxury vehicle after it was stolen, and subsequently released the recovered car to individuals suspected of involvement in its disappearance.
The businessman, through his solicitors, Adeboro Adamson, SAN & Co., also explained that police officers demanded that he refund ₦30 million reportedly paid by the suspects to a car dealer before his recovered vehicle could be released to him.
In a reminder and final notice dated October 27, 2026, addressed to the Inspector-General of Police, Obazuaye’s lawyers expressed concern that despite an earlier petition submitted on June 2, 2026, and acknowledged by the IGP’s office on June 9, 2026, alongside subsequent reminder letters, their client had received no formal response or information about any investigation into the allegations.
The lawyers described the continued silence of the police authorities as particularly troubling given the seriousness of the allegations surrounding the alleged unlawful release of their client’s recovered 2013 blue Rolls-Royce Phantom Convertible, with Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) SCA682DS4DUX75170.
The latest correspondence, titled “Reminder/Final Notice,” specifically named IPO Aliyu Usuf Adulde, DCP Ibrahim Zungura and CSP Zuokumor Peikumor of the FCID, Abuja, over allegations bordering on criminal conspiracy, abuse of office, obstruction of justice, unlawful release of a recovered stolen vehicle, gross misconduct and other acts allegedly inimical to the integrity of the Nigeria Police Force.
The petition also named Henry Udubriah, Emmanuel Olabode and another individual over stealing, criminal conversion, criminal breach of trust and obtaining property by false pretence.
The lawyers warned that unless the IGP’s office provides a satisfactory written response and confirms appropriate action within seven days of receiving the final notice, their client would pursue all available legal and judicial remedies without further notice.
In the letter, the solicitors stated: “Despite our repeated correspondence and the seriousness of the allegations raised, our Client has yet to receive any formal response or be informed of any discernible action taken on the petition.
“This continued silence is a matter of grave concern, particularly given the allegations surrounding the release of our Client’s recovered 2013 Blue Rolls-Royce Phantom Convertible, with Vehicle Identification Number SCA682DS4DUX75170.”
“Accordingly, we hereby issue this final notice and respectfully request that your office urgently cause the petition to be investigated and provide us with a written update on its status and the steps being taken to address the issues raised,” it said.
The lawyers further warned: “Take notice that, unless we receive a satisfactory written response and confirmation of appropriate action within seven (7) days of receipt of this letter, our Client shall proceed to pursue all available legal and judicial remedies for the protection and enforcement of his rights, without further notice or reference to your office.”
How ₦600 Million Rolls-Royce Allegedly Disappeared
The controversy surrounding the luxury vehicle reportedly began in April 2022 when Obazuaye entrusted it to a car dealer, Henry Udubriah, for the limited purpose of showing it to a prospective buyer.
According to the businessman’s earlier petition, the arrangement did not authorise Udubriah to sell, transfer or dispose of the vehicle without his express consent.
However, the dealer allegedly disappeared with the Rolls-Royce and remained unreachable for several months.
After repeated attempts to contact him failed, Obazuaye reportedly sent someone to his address but discovered that neither the dealer nor the vehicle could be found.
The businessman subsequently lodged a formal complaint on May 16, 2022, with the Deputy Inspector-General of Police at the FCID, Abuja, through the Force Intelligence Bureau/Intelligence Response Team (FIB/IRT) Commander at Gusape.
The complaint was submitted through his then solicitors, Shinaba, Ogon & Co.
Obazuaye also reportedly announced a ₦2 million reward for information that could lead to the recovery of the missing Rolls-Royce.
A further petition was submitted on June 21, 2022, to the Assistant Inspector-General of Police at the FCID Annex, Alagbon, Lagos, through Rawling & Partners.
His solicitors also said the Federal High Court in Lagos granted an order on July 20, 2022, through police channels, directing that the suspect’s bank accounts be blocked pending the determination of the matter.
According to the earlier petition, police investigations eventually led to the recovery of the Rolls-Royce from two individuals who were allegedly preparing to sell it.
Obazuaye reportedly presented documents to establish his ownership, including the original purchase invoice, certified shipping and customs clearance documents, a United States automobile dealership licence and other identification materials.
Police Recovered Car, But Allegedly Released It To Suspects
The businessman explained that after the vehicle was recovered, the then Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Frank Mba, examined the ownership documents and directed that the Rolls-Royce be released to him.
However, his lawyers stated that the directive was not implemented before Mba’s subsequent promotion to Deputy Inspector-General of Police and transfer to Abuja.
The solicitors further claimed that the individuals from whom the vehicle was recovered were subsequently released without their client being formally notified.
The circumstances surrounding the subsequent handling of the vehicle became a major source of disagreement between the businessman and the police officers involved in the investigation.
According to the earlier petition, the individuals involved in the disputed transaction allegedly claimed that they had paid Udubriah ₦30 million for the Rolls-Royce.
Obazuaye’s lawyers challenged the transaction, insisting that no verifiable bank transfer records or other credible evidence had been presented to establish that the payment was actually made.
They also questioned three receipts allegedly presented by Olabode, which they said were dated 2021, several months before the vehicle reportedly disappeared in April 2022.
In an earlier response to SaharaReporters, Ibrahim Zungura, who was a Deputy Commissioner of Police during the events in question and has since become a Commissioner of Police, denied collecting money from anyone in connection with the matter.
Zungura challenged Obazuaye to provide evidence to substantiate the bribery allegation, insisting that he would not accept accusations without proof.
He told SaharaReporters that any allegation of bribery should be supported by evidence showing whether the alleged payment was made in cash, through an intermediary or through a bank account.
“I don’t know who gave me money, but it’s very simple. If somebody alleges you collect or give you bribe, let him just prove it. Either he gave you cash or through somebody or through account or whatever it means, let him just prove it,” Zungura said.
“And that’s all. If he does not prove it, then it will be against him. I’m not leaving it like that,” he added. “I will never collect anybody’s money. But let him just prove it.”
However, in that earlier exchange, Zungura did not directly explain the circumstances under which the recovered Rolls-Royce was allegedly released to the individuals from whom it had been recovered.
He also did not directly address the businessman’s allegation that payment of the disputed ₦30 million was made a condition for releasing the vehicle.
SaharaReporters also contacted the investigating police officer, Aliyu Yusuf Abulde, who confirmed that he handled the case from its beginning until it was transferred following a request from the Inspector-General of Police’s office.
Abulde said he had first-hand knowledge of the investigation and could explain what happened, having handled the matter from beginning to end.
“I have the first-hand information about the case and I can be able to say a lot on it because I investigated the case from A to Z,” he told SaharaReporters.
However, he declined to provide further details, citing the Nigeria Police Force’s media policy, and directed the newspaper to the appropriate police authority for an official response.