The wife of the police officer identified as Benson Azubike, who lost his sight while in active service, was arrested last Friday
The Abia State Command of the Nigeria Police Force has been accused of demanding illegal over-the-counter money, otherwise known as bribe, before it would release the wife of a blind ex-police officer.
Officers at Okpuala Ngwa Police Division in the Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area of the state were accused of demanding N30,000 bail and N4,000 bribe from the wife of the former police officer.
It was learnt that the wife of the police officer identified as Benson Azubike, who lost his sight while in active service, was arrested last Friday for owing someone N50,000.
One Emma.C. Jiakponnah, a former police spokesperson for Zone 9 Umuahia, who made this known in a letter addressed to the Abia State Commissioner for Police on Sunday, said the condition given for her release was to pay half of the money which was met.
He noted that bail is meant to be free at police stations but that the police illegally detained the woman because of it.
He explained that the Investigating Police Officer (IPO}, said to be a woman, insisted that she would collect N50,000 before the detained woman would be granted bail.
According to the letter, the woman was forced to sleep in the cell overnight.
Jiakponnah added that later, N50,000 was brought to the police but that instead of releasing the woman, she asked for N30,000 for bail and N4,000 as over-the-counter money.
“Good evening the Abia State CP Maa! I’m His Honour, Emma.C. Jiakponnah, Sp Rtd & former PPRO Zone 9 Umuahia. I’m constrained to report to you, with utmost humility, respect & the spirit of “esprit de call”.
“The wife of an ex-police officer, Benson Azubike who had a challenge while in active service & is totally blind, was arrested yesterday, Friday, 9/9/2022 at Okpuala Ngwa Police Division in Isiala Ngwa North LGA, for owing someone N50,000.
“The condition given for her release was to pay half of the money which was met after pledging many properties. Yet the woman-IPO insisted on completing the N50,000 b/4 bail will be granted which made the woman to sleep in the cell.
“After much struggle & borrowing today, 10/9/2022 N50,000 was brought to the Police & she’s asking for N30,000 bail & N4000 counter money.
“I was later informed to plead & I pleaded with the Woman Dpo who happened to be my Course-mate but she told me that she had no idea of the matter & I mentioned the IPO to her since the DCO’s GSM number was switched off, but she said she was travelling to Akwa Ibom & that I should sort it out with them.
“The children of the blind police officer raised N10,000 for bail but the IPO refused which made me to inform the Abia PPRO. Upon the PPRO’S intervention, the Police officer refused & the woman is still in the cell for not providing N34,000 bail after being coerced to pay N50,000 debt as now agents of debt collector.
“It’s quite unfortunate that some officers disobey the rules of engagement as bail is said to be free, yet certain actions that can drag the image of the force to the mod are exhibited by some Officers.
“Pls, Maa, kindly intervene b/4 certain steps are taken given the situation in the country so as not to break the existing relationship b/w the police & the public. Remain blessed! His Honour, Emma.c. Jiakponnah, Sp Rtd,” he said.
However, the Abia State Police Command Spokesman, DSP Geoffrey Ogbonna told Reporters that the issue has been resolved.
“The issue has been resolved, the woman was released on Saturday unconditionally,” he said.