As the orderly room trial of AP Mohammed Yusuf (No. 229655), AP Ojochenemi Jubrin (No. 227141), AP Rizama Reuben (No. 318195), and AP Isokpuwu John (No. 318172) of the Force Criminal Investigation Department, Area 10, Abuja, accused of extorting a staggering N151.5million from a diasporan Nigerian, Segun Okubajo, comes to an end, following the conclusion of evidence on Monday, June 16, 2025, Nigerians wait with bated breath on what the decision of the Police hierarchy will be or whether this will be another case that will be swept under the carpet.
It will be recalled that following a petition by the victim’s family, the Inspector General of Police swiftly directed that the case be investigated and the police officers made to face orderly room trial if a prima facie case is established against them. Following the commencement of the orderly room trial and the close of evidence on Monday, June 16, 2025, the stage is set for the police hierarchy to give its decision.
The petition alleged that the four police officers, kidnapped Mr. Segun Okubajo in Lagos, took him to Abuja and held him incommunicado, while the policemen forced his family to cough up the enormous sum under threats and duress.
The petition further revealed that the illegal arrest was allegedly engineered by a known police informant, Oladipo Ibrahim, of Eko Imperial Autos, who reportedly specialises in targeting foreign-based Nigerians for extortion. According to the petition, Oladipo Ibrahim is the mastermind of the entire kidnapping, as he acts as an informant to dubious police officers.
Following the abduction, the officers allegedly demanded N1billion but eventually settled for a “negotiated” amount of N151.5 million, which the family was forced to raise through loans and contributions from friends and cooperative societies, and paid same to the police officers, after converting same to dollars.
Despite the effort of the Inspector General of Police and the police hierarchy to rid the force of bad eggs, some unscrupulous officers, usually of the rank and file, continue to engage in the unwholesome practice of extorting Nigerian citizens. It is hoped that the police hierarchy will use this case to send a message to the entire police force, once again, that it will not tolerate any form of extortion.