The police in Lagos have arrested an Enugu-based herbalist for allegedly being in possession of official secret document after conniving with some persons to give false information about the bank account of a Lagos-based businessman, Sunday Okolie.

The herbalist, Uche Charles, said to be an in-law to the businessman, allegedly connived with the sister and wife of the elder brother of the businessman, Mrs. Okolie Hannah Ugochukwu, to obtain the statement of account belonging to the business man — which the bank released to police as official secret document containing vital and sensitive information, but which ended up in the custody of the herbalist without any authorisation by the police.

Family sources said the dispute started after the mysterious death of the elder brother of the businessman in Lagos, following which his wife allegedly tried to convert all the business interests collectively owned by the entire family to herself. She also allegedly resisted all efforts made by relations og her late husband for peace and ended up dragging the mother of her late husband, along with her remaining sons, to the police at different stations in the eastern part of the country in connivance with her elder brother, the herbalist.

Sources also alleged that the widow ignored the earlier petition against her at Zone 2 Command, Onikan, Lagos, and proceeded to channel a petition to Zone 13, Ukpo in Anambra State, where they connived with an investigating police officer to unofficially obtain the statement of account of the business man.

Police sources further revealed that the herbalist went ahead to tender the statement of account, which was specifically addressed to the investigating police officer attached to Hawk Squad, in court in charge number MEN/163C/2024:COP vs Kate Okolie as if the document was meant for him or that he is a police officer. The businessman reportedly later won the case in court.

Furthermore, the herbalist allegedly continued threatening the businessman using the information he got from the statement of account. The businessman alleged that since the herbalist got his residential address, he has had series of attempts on his life close to his house.

Police sources said that after the widow and her herbalist brother dragged the businessman to Zone 13, Ukpo, Anambra State, they also petitioned the police in Enugu over the same issue, prompting the businessman to petition the Inspector General of Police. Consequently, the case was referred back to Zone 2, Onikan, Lagos, that initially started investigations into the matter.

It was learned that based on this, the police at Zone 2 swung into action and arrested the herbalist, who is presently undergoing interrogation at the command.