The Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun has referred a petition against the Enugu State Police Command’s anti-kidnapping squad to the X-Squad officer of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) for urgent and thorough investigation.
The petition alleges the unlawful arrest and detention of Mr. Olu Agwu and demands the refund of N60 million, which was allegedly extorted from him under duress.
Recently, SaharaReporters detailed how Agwu alleged that he was coerced into paying N62 million into multiple accounts linked to senior police officers in an attempt to obscure the transactions.
This, he alleged, was part of a disturbing trend where high-profile individuals are falsely labeled as members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) or the Eastern Security Network (ESN) to extort money from them.
Although the Enugu State Police Command denied the allegations in a statement signed by its spokesperson, SP Daniel Ndukwe, SaharaReporters published additional findings linking former Commissioner of Police Kanayo Uzuegbu to the case. Uzuegbu was promoted to Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) on Tuesday.
Following these developments, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Prof. Mike Ozekhome petitioned IGP Egbetokun, demanding the immediate refund of the N62 million allegedly extorted from Agwu by officers of the Anti-Kidnap Squad, Enugu State Police Command, during his reported illegal arrest and detention.
In the petition, dated February 14, Ozekhome urged the IGP to intervene swiftly, warning that failure to act would lead to further legal action to safeguard Agwu’s rights as guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
Ozekhome’s petition reiterated alleges that Agwu was forced to transfer N62 million into multiple accounts controlled by senior police officers to avoid being falsely labeled as an IPOB or ESN member.
SaharaReporters learned on Tuesday that the IGP has approved an urgent intervention and investigation into the matter.
“Good afternoon, kindly note that your petition to the Inspector General of Police, Nigeria Police Force Titled: ‘Petition against the state anti-kidnapping squad, Enugu state police command for the unlawful arrest and detention of Mr. Olu Agwu and a demand for the refund of the sum of sixty million naira extorted from him under duress’; has been approved for urgent intervention/ investigation.
“To this you are requested to report to X-Squad Officer, Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Room 202 as soon as possible together with your client for adoption of petition and provision of clarity/ evidence on the allegation. … There is a timeline on conclusion of investigation so to this, your swift response will be appreciated. Regards,” a message shared with SaharaReporters read.
Additionally, in a letter dated February 25 and addressed to the Chief Counsel and Head of Chambers at Mike Ozekhome’s Chambers, CP Johnson O. Adenola, Principal Staff Officer to the Inspector-General of Police, confirmed that the IGP has directed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Force Criminal Investigation Department, to investigate the complaint.
With reference number CB:7000/IGP.SEC/ABJ/VOL.790/
The letter partly read: “I present the warm courtesy of the Inspector-General of Police and acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 14th February, 2025 on the above underlined subject.
“I am to respectfully inform you that the Inspector-General of Police has directed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Force Criminal Investigation Department to investigate your complaint.”
“Accept the assurances of the esteemed regards of the Inspector-General of Police, please,” it added.(SaharaReporters)
