The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has praised the police tactical team attached to Area K, Marogbo, Lagos State Command, led by SP Rilwan Kasumu, for their integrity and refusal to accept a bribe of four million naira (#4,000,000) during an investigation into drug peddling and unlawful possession of ammunition.
This was contained in a press statement on Thursday by the Force spokesperson, Olumuyiwa Adejobi.
According to the statement, the team apprehended Esther Newman Obiekezie, a 42-year-old female known as Candy, at her residence on No 6, Mojirade Street, Ilogbo Lagos.
During the course of the investigation, Akete Esther, a 43-year-old female, and Oke Okebalam, a 49-year-old male from Ajamgbadi Lagos, visited the police station in Ijanikin.
They attempted to secure the release of Esther Newman Obiekezie and offered a bribe of four million naira. They pleaded with the police to refrain from interfering with Esther’s illegal drug peddling business.
However, the police officer in charge of the case rejected the bribe, seized the cash, and marked it as an exhibit. Both Akete Esther and Oke Okebalam were subsequently arrested for further investigation and prosecution.
The statement reads in part, The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D, NPM, has commended the officer in charge of the police tactical team attached to Area K, Marogbo, Lagos State Command, SP Rilwan Kasumu, and team, for rejecting the sum of four million naira (#4,000,000) bribe while investigating a case of drug peddling and unlawful possession of ammunition.
“The team had arrested one Esther Newman Obiekezie, f, 42 years, aka Candy, of No 6, Mojirade Street, Ilogbo Lagos, on 6th February, 2024, at her base where she sells drugs called ICE, and recovered a large quantity of the substance and some AK47 live ammunition from her.
“In the cause of the investigation, the duo of Akete Esther, f, 43, and Oke Okebalam, m, 49 years, of Ajamgbadi Lagos, came to the station in Ijanikin, to solicit for the release of the drug peddler, Esther, and offered the sum of four million naira, and pleaded that the police should stop disrupting the illegal business (drug peddling) of Esther, henceforth.
“The police officer who frowned at the offer siezed the cash and marked it exhibit and arrested the duo for further investigation and prosecution.
“The IGP, therefore, reiterates the commitment of the Force to harnessing all available means and adopting professional anti crime strategies to tackle all forms of crimes and criminality in Nigeria.”
