Alleged Extortion: Rights Lawyer petitions Chief of Army Staff, IGP, demands erring soldiers of 3 battalions, Police officers to face prosecution

By Monday Peters, Abuja

A victim of alleged military torture Mr. John Akinola has sent a strong-worded petition to the Chief of Army Staff and the Inspector General of Police, accusing some military personnel from 3 battalions and the Divisional Officer of Ekpan police division, Effurun Delta State of Extortion and Intimidation.

According to the petition, the suspected military personnel in conjunction with the Ekpan police extorted the victim Mr John Akinola with the sum of fourteen million and two hundred thousand naira only (N14,200, 000,00), adding that he was made to sell his vehicle LEXUS RX350 JEEP AT ABOUT 11pm under duress before his release.

The petitioner through his lawyer OMEMIRORO OGEDEGBE, ESQ narrated that being a businessman, he was approached by one Olawale Awosi to assist him prevail on one Zenab Diaby in Germany to avail him her Germany based account as he had difficulty receiving the sum of five thousand Euros which after much persuasion the said account was made available to the Olawale Awosi only to have received the sum of twenty five thousand Euros contrary to the information he was given with the indication of “police” as purpose of the fund.

The petition dated 5th September, 2025 emphasised that the said account was placed under investigation and the account holder became suspicious of the funds and the victim was instructed to inform the said Olawale Awosi to instruct the sender to exercise the right of recall as the transaction obviously smacks of fraud.

The victim said rather than direct the sender to recall the said funds, the said Olawale Awosi contracted one Riftaku John (MP) of the three (3) battalion of the Nigerian Army Barrack, Effurun, Delta State who led military officers conveyed in two vans to abduct him on the 16th of August 2025 by the NPA Estate where upon he was subjected to the crudest decree of human brutality, striped to his underwear and torture as he was about to be taking away to the army barracks a senior police officer intervened and was rescued to the nearby police station “B” Division, Warri, Delta State.

The petition read, “That our Client thereafter filed a fundamental right application to enforce his fundamental right to personal liberty and the count on the 2nd day of September, 2025 granted an order restraining the police from any further arrest of our client directing parties to maintain the status quo.

“That the moment the Divisional Police Officer “B” Division, Warri, Delta State was served with the court processes she demonstrated to be a true law abiding officer and refused to take any further steps.

6. That on the 3rd day of September, 2025 while our client was coming out from the Prodeco Estate, Ekpan-Warri, Delta State the said Rifkatu John (MP) again led military officers on a possible tip off to the Venue were our client was having his relaxation as she claimed the said Olawale Awosi is her younger brother and even bought her the operational laptop for his internet fraud business.

“That our Client was held hostage and was forced to pay the sum of one million naira only before he was allowed to leave the venue. The evidence is attached as Annexure A.

“That the moment he left the Estate the said Rifkatu John(MP) led a combine team of army officers and police officers and demanded that our client should pay the sum of twenty eight million naira only on the spot and when he was not able to meet their demand and knowing fully well she can not use the Barracks to perpetuate this illegality, she conspired with her police friends took our client to a hide our within the police premises at Ekpan, Delta State and opened all his bank accounts and compelled him to sell his Lexus Jeep Rx 350 for thirteen million naira to a close car dealer by the police station before he was allowed to go. The evidence of the payment of the thirteen million naira only is attached as Annexure B.

“The said Rifkatu John (MP) and her conspirators opened all his existing bank accounts and transferred a further sum of two hundred and thirteen thousand naira from his account in sheer conspiracy with her colleagues using the Epkan Divisonal headquarters, Epkan, Delta State as their base.

“It is important that the military hierarchy become aware and instill the appropriate discipline as the conduct as the said Rifkatu John (MP) be brought to light as she is unfit to be an ambassador of the Nigerian military charged with the responsibility of investigating crimes involving military personnel and enforcement of military discipline.

The victim, however is demanding for justice, adding that the erring soldiers who sold his car while he was in police custody should be prosecuted.

The petition to IGP further read, “We are solicitors to Mr. John Akinola (hereinafter referred to as “our Client”), and on his firm instructions, we write to formally bring to your attention the brazen acts of extortion, intimidation, and abuse of office by the Divisional Police Officer, Ekpan Police Division, in criminal conspiracy with Rifkatu John (MP) of the 3rd Battalion, Nigerian Army Barracks, Effurun, Delta State.

“That our Client, a businessman, was approached by one Olawale Awosi to persuade one Zenab Diaby in Germany to make her German account available for receipt of funds. After persistent persuasion, she released the details. Awosi thereafter received €25,000 (Twenty-Five Thousand Euros), contrary to the earlier representation of €5,000. The transfer bore the indication “police” as the purpose of funds.

“That the account holder became suspicious, and our Client advised that the sender recall the funds as the transaction appeared fraudulent. Rather than comply, Awosi engaged Rifkatu John (MP), who led armed soldiers of the 3rd Battalion to abduct our Client on 16th August, 2025, at NPA Estate, Warri. He was stripped, tortured, and nearly whisked to Army Barracks but was rescued through the intervention of a senior police officer and taken to “B” Division Police Station, Warri.

“That our Client thereafter filed a Fundamental Rights Enforcement action. On 2nd September 2025, the Court granted an order restraining the police from further arrest and directed all parties to maintain the status quo.

“That the Divisional Police Officer of “B” Division, Warri, upon being served, complied with the Court’s order and refrained from unlawful action against our Client.

“That on 3rd September, 2025, however, Rifkatu John (MP), on the alleged ground that Awosi is her younger brother, again led soldiers to abduct our Client at Prodeco Estate, Ekpan-Warri. He was forced to pay ₦1,000,000.00 before release. (See Annexure A).

“That shortly after, in conspiracy with other army and police officers, she demanded the outrageous sum of ₦28,000,000.00 from our Client. Unable to meet this demand, he was detained at Ekpan Police Station.

“That we immediately contacted the DPO (a legal practitioner), who requested that court processes be sent to him via his WhatsApp number 0806 043 2202. We complied, and he claimed he was in Asaba and could only attend to the matter the following morning.

“That at about midnight, our Client called to say he had been released, but only after being compelled to sell his Lexus RX 350 Jeep for ₦13,000,000.00 to a dealer closely connected to the officers. The money was transferred via POS accounts after he was severely tortured into submission. (Annexure B).

“That in furtherance of this criminal enterprise, his bank accounts were unlawfully accessed and ₦213,000.00 was transferred by the said officers in sheer conspiracy, using Ekpan Police Division as their base of operations.

“From the above, it is evident that the DPO, Ekpan, has grossly abused his office, betrayed the trust reposed in the Nigerian Police, and engaged in acts unbecoming of an officer of the law. His conduct amounts to criminality, abuse of office, and deliberate tarnishing of the image of the Nigerian Police Force.

We therefore demand:

“1. A thorough investigation into the conduct of the DPO, Ekpan.

“2. Immediate disciplinary measures in line with Police Regulations.

“3. Restitution of all monies and properties unlawfully extorted from our Client.

“We trust that the Nigerian Police Force will not permit the integrity of the institution to be further undermined by such criminal actions of a few individuals.

“ANNEXURES ATTACHED

Annexure A – Proof of ₦1,000,000.00 extorted under duress.

Annexure B – Proof of forced sale of Lexus RX 350 Jeep and transfer records.

ANNEXURES ATTACHED

Annexure Date Description of Incident / Transaction Amount / Property Evidence Attached

A. 3rd September, 2025 Forced release of our Client after abduction by Rifkatu John (MP) and soldiers at Prodeco Estate, Ekpan-Warri. Payment made under duress. ₦1,000,000.00 Transfer record / receipt

B. 3rd–4th September, 2025 Compelled sale of Lexus RX 350 Jeep to associates of the officers at a grossly undervalued price before release from Ekpan Police Station. ₦13,000,000.00 (forced sale proceeds) POS transfer records & car sale transaction details

C. 4th September, 2025 Unauthorized access to our Client’s bank account by officers operating from Ekpan Police Division. ₦213,000.00 Bank transaction printout”.

Copied

“1. The Honourable Attorney General of the Federation & Minister of Justice, Abuja.

2. The Chairman, Police Service Commission, Abuja.

3. The Commander, Nigerian Army Corps of Military Police, Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Barracks, Abuja.

4. The Chief of Army Staff, Nigerian Army Headquarters, Abuja.

5.The COMMANDING OFFICER 3 BATTALLION NIGERIAN ARMY, EFFURUN,DELTA STATE

6. The OFFICER IN CHARGE

MILITARY POLICE 3 BATTALLION NIGERIAN ARMY,

EFFURUN

7. The Commissioner of Police, Delta State Command, Asaba.

8. The Area Commander, Nigerian Police, Warri, Delta State.

9. The Divisional Police Officer, “B” Division Po

lice Station, Warri, Delta State.

10. The National Human Rights Commission, Abuja”.