The Delta State Police Command has refuted allegations of extortion to the tune of ₦2,186,000 leveled against its officers by Mrs. Gladys Ubogu Okeoghene.
In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Edafe Bright, the Command described the claims as “false, misleading, and a deliberate attempt to evade justice and attract public sympathy.”
The allegations surfaced following a petition filed by Mrs. Ubogu to the Warri Area Commander on October 22, 2024. In her petition, she accused a car dealer of fraudulently selling two Mercedes Benz vehicles—a GLK and a C400—belonging to her family.
According to her, the dealer failed to remit the proceeds from the sale, instead converting the funds for personal use.
The police launched an investigation, leading to the arrest of six suspects: Olayemi Abiodun Moses, Nowoke Precious, Tempo Mumandira Billion, Fabian Chinonso Udeh, Ahmed Farouk, and David Solomon.
Among them, David Solomon, the car dealer, was charged with fraudulent conversion after selling the Mercedes Benz C400, which was later recovered.
However, during the investigation, it was discovered that the Mercedes Benz GLK had been sold for ₦4,000,000, with the payment transferred directly to Mrs. Ubogu’s son, Highness Onoruikpe. Evidence of the transaction, including bank alerts, was found on the son’s phone, contradicting the initial claims made by the petitioner.
The police noted that the recovered C400 vehicle, which had been returned to Mrs. Ubogu, was later brought back to the station for further investigation.
At this point, Mrs. Ubogu allegedly abandoned both the case and the vehicle, prompting suspicions about her motives.
SP Edafe Bright emphasized that the Police did not extort money from Mrs. Ubogu at any point and called on media outlets and social media users to verify facts before publishing reports.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, reiterated the Command’s commitment to justice and urged the public not to be swayed by baseless allegations.