September 09, (THEWILL) – A Bayelsa State-based cooperative Banker, Ebenezer Udoka, has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, over alleged illegal arrest, human rights violation and extortion, by operatives of the State Police Command, following his complaint that a Goat supplier, Abubakar Yahaya, swindled him by not supplying a total of 40 goats worth above N600,000 as agreed in December 2021.
According to the petition, written and signed by his legal counsel, P.J Isaac-Iregung Esq, instead of the men of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) to investigate the complaint filed by inviting Abubakar Yahaya and verify the claims of the complainant, they have allegedly embarked on the intimidation, arrest and extortion of the complainant to the tune of N230,000 in bail bonds and other charges.
Udoka had approached the police with a case of alleged fraud committed by Abubakar Yahaya over the non-supply of goats to 30 members of Deals Exclusive, to be shared in December, 2021, as part of the end of the year savings schemes, but Yahaya reneged on the deal after collecting monies for the goats and supplied only sixteen out of 40 goats.
“Abubakar has been supplying us goats in the last three years which is shared among members. But last Year, after collecting N600,000 through transfer and cash, was to supply 40 goats. He only supplied sixteen out of forty goats and promised to supply the remaining in few days’ time. We waited endlessly without supply. We went to his (Yahaya) goat stand, but met only six goats tied. On the accused instruction, six goats were handed to us.
“While we were driving away with the goats, one Kabiru Mohammed claimed he is the owner of the goats and not Abubakar. Kabiru was told to speak to Abubakar, which he did in Hausa dialect before letting them go with the six goats, Few days later, Kabiru brought police with IPO, Inspector Umaru, claiming he stole 10 goats. A charge he denied. Since then he has extorted various sum of monies from Yahaya phone tracking and money for transport to arrest him in Port Harcourt where he was claimed to have relocated.”
Udoka, was arrested and detained on the order of one Assistant Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim, for allegedly taking custody of six out of the 30 goats at Abubakar Yahaya stand.
He was also accused by the Police of lack of due diligence and cover up of the offending goat supply due to alleged tribal sentiment, how can they be extorting and harassing the complainant because the perpetrator of the crime is a northerner. The Assistant Commissioner (SCID), is a northerner and the goat supplier too. Instead of tracking down the goat supplier, who is on the run, they are arm twisting our brother for taking into custody the goats he is being owed. They have not even visited the scene or stable of the goat seller.”
Attempts by the complainant, through a petition of alleged conspiracy to the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), Zone 16, dated September 1st, 2022, was reportedly blocked by some kinsmen of the goat supplier. In the petition, written by the legal counsel to the complainant, P.J Isaac-Iregung Esq, “prayed the AIG that he is no longer comfortable with the way his case is being handled by the State Police Command, headed by Commissioner Ben Okolo and subjecting him to double jeopardy.”
According to the petition, the complainant is asking the AIG to use his good office to order that the case files, both the present and the former, be transferred to his office for discreet investigation of a case of fraud and conspiracy against Mr Kabiru Mohammed and Abubakar Yahaya.”
