Police Arrest 4 Officers Over Alleged ICPC Chairman POS Cash Scandal

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested and detained four officers accused of extorting ₦53,000 from the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr Musa Aliyu (SAN), during an alleged illegal stop-and-search operation in Abuja.

According to Ireporter Online, the FCT Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Sanusi, confirmed the arrest while briefing journalists in Abuja on Monday, describing the incident as unacceptable and declaring that officers involved in criminal activities have no place within the Nigeria Police Force.

Sanusi explained that preliminary findings revealed that the officers abandoned their official duty locations and gathered around the Banex area of Wuse, where they allegedly established an unauthorised checkpoint to target motorists.

The commissioner disclosed that the officers stopped and allegedly extorted the ICPC chairman without knowing his identity. He said the policemen reportedly forced Aliyu to visit a Point of Sale (POS) operator, where he withdrew ₦53,000 and paid transaction charges before the officers shared the money among themselves.

According to Sanusi, the officers operated as a criminal group rather than carrying out legitimate police duties. He described them as individuals who left their assigned divisions, formed an illegal checkpoint and engaged in unlawful activities.

The police commissioner revealed that the command launched investigations after receiving information about the incident and subsequently arrested the suspected leader of the group. He added that information obtained from the first suspect assisted investigators in locating the other officers involved.

Sanusi assured Nigerians that the officers would face strict disciplinary measures if found guilty, noting that those deserving dismissal from service would be removed.

He further warned police personnel against violating citizens’ rights, particularly through unlawful searches of mobile phones. The commissioner reiterated the directive of the Inspector-General of Police prohibiting officers from randomly demanding to search citizens’ phones during patrol operations.

Sanusi advised residents not to allow unlawful roadside phone searches and encouraged them to report any officer involved in extortion, harassment or other forms of misconduct through official police channels.

He stressed that the command would continue to investigate and punish officers found guilty of abusing their positions, assuring residents of the commitment of the police to uphold professionalism and accountability.