A Police officer attached to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Yaba, Lagos, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) John Alabi, has been accused of professional misconduct by a businesswoman, Mrs. Nnoma Ugochukwu Nze. She alleged that Alabi tortured her, subjected her to inhumane treatment, and compelled her to transfer N13 million to him and his accomplices.

In two separate petitions addressed to the Lagos State Commissioner of Police and dated October 21, 2024, and January 6, 2025, Nze, through her lawyer, Goddy Ezimoha & Co, detailed the alleged misconduct.

She accused Alabi of orchestrating her prolonged detention to forcefully gain access to her bank accounts, transferring funds to third parties under the guise of recovering an alleged debt.

The ordeal began In July 2024 when a complaint was lodged against Nze by one Prophetess Chidinma Nwayima at the SCID, alleging that she had defrauded her of N100 million between 2019 and 2024. Nze was subsequently detained for a month and allegedly compelled to disclose her bank details.

According to the petitions, Alabi obtained a questionable detention order to prolong her custody. Nze alleged that she was forced to transfer N9 million from her son?s Zenith Bank account to a third party?s account on July 26, 2024. Despite the transfer, she was returned to the cell, with police officials allegedly insisting that the full N100 million must be recovered before she could be granted bail.

Nze further claimed that on July 31, 2024, she was coerced into transferring an additional N4 million from her United Bank for Africa (UBA) account to another third party?s account at Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB). She alleged that Alabi warned her not to disclose the transactions to her lawyer or relatives.

The petitions also revealed that on August 6, 2024, Nze was arraigned before Magistrate?s Court 9 in Ebute Metta. However, the N13 million transferred from her accounts was neither mentioned in the charge sheet nor listed as an exhibit before the court.

Nze?s lawyer accused Alabi and his accomplices, including one Ms Tope, of acting in bad faith, describing the alleged extortion as ?brutal, crude, wicked, and corrupt.? He stated that the suspects falsely labelled the illicit transfers as rent payments to permanently convert the funds.

?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 lawyer demanded the immediate return of the funds and called for sanctions against Alabi and his accomplices. When contacted, ASP Alabi declined to comment directly, stating that the Lagos State Police Command spokesperson could respond.

Speaking to The Guardian, Lagos State Police Command spokesperson Benjamin Hundeyin confirmed the existence of the petitions but denied any wrongdoing by the police.

?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,? Hundeyin said. ?The Command will not succumb to media pressure but will continue to uphold best practices in its investigations.? (The Guardian)

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