From Joe Obukata Ogbodu, Warri
The Delta State Police Command has responded to allegations trending on social media, accusing the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of “B” Division in Warri, Delta State, of extorting N250,000 from a suspect.
In a statement, the command’s spokesman, SP Bright Edafe, dismissed the allegations as false and misleading.
Providing details of the incident, Edafe explained that the suspect, accused of extortion, was arrested for conspiracy and theft, and subsequently charged to court, where he was remanded in Okere Prison, Warri.
Edafe stated, “The command is aware of a false publication on the internet and other social media platforms orchestrated by one Comrade Peter Edariese, alleging that the DPO and men of ‘B’ Division Warri arrested one Godstime Edesiri for an undisclosed crime and forced him to pay two hundred and forty thousand naira (#240,000) as bail.
“To clarify and set the record straight, the command wishes to state the following:
“On the 28th of October 2024, at about 1540 hours, Mrs Helen Ogodogun reported that her Samsung Galaxy A05s phone, worth one hundred and sixty-five thousand naira, was stolen while in transit. Additionally, two hundred and fifteen thousand naira (#215,000) was transferred from her bank account and used to purchase airtime via USSD.
“Following the complaint, an investigation was conducted, involving the bank, which provided the account details and phone number 09060671012, recharged from the victim’s account.
“On the 3rd of December 2024, a technically driven investigation led to the arrest of Godstime Edesiri, whose phone contained the SIM card used in the transaction. The suspect opted for an out-of-court settlement with the complainant, hoping to pervert justice.
“On 14th January 2024, the suspect was arraigned in court on charges of conspiracy and theft and was remanded in Okere Prison, Warri.”
SP Edafe concluded by urging human rights activists and journalists to verify facts through the Police Public Relations Officer before publishing on social media to avoid misleading the public.