The Imo State Police Command has dismissed seven police officers for extortion in Umuahia, Abia state.
The policemen were arrested at a bank on 08/11/2022 in the course of performing illegal duty outside their jurisdiction and subsequently arraigned in court.
Daily Post reports that they appeared before a Magistrate Court in Owerri and were charged with conspiracy to extort money from an innocent victim.
The ex-policemen were found guilty of the charges levelled against them with Sheet Number: No. OW/746C/2022, and were summarily dismissed.
A statement by the State Police Public Relations officer, Michael Abattam on Thursday, identified the erring men as Sgt. Ohakim Chibuzo, Sgt. Irome Finian, Sgt. George Osueke and Cpl. Kelechi Onuegbu.
Others include Nwagoro Isdore, PC Nwadike Stephen and PC Ihemtuge Plastidus we’re dismissed for the offence of Discreditable Conduct, Corrupt Practices and Leaving Beat.
The statement reads, “Sequel to the inundation of the office of the Commissioner of Police with series of reports/complaints by members of the public on Police brutality, harassments, extortion, illegal checking of phones and flagrant disobedience to the Inspector-General of Police directives on extortion and incivility to members of the public, the Imo State Police
“It will be recalled, that the ex-policemen were arrested on 08/11/2022 at about 1300hrs, in a bank at Umuahia, Abia State, in the course of performing illegal duty outside their jurisdiction and conspiracy to extort money from an innocent victim. They were defaulted, tried and found guilty of the charges levelled against them, thus were summarily dismissed and charged to Magistrate Court, Owerri with Charge Sheet Number: No. OW/746C/2022.
“Consequently, the Commissioner of Police has directed all Area Commanders, Heads of Departments (HODs), Divisional Police Officers (DPO) and Tactical Teams Commanders of the various units in the Command to ensure their subordinates are warned against indulging in these sharp practices as any Police Officer found complicit will be made to face disciplinary actions.”
