By Chuks Peter
The Delta State Branch of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR) has demanded that Supol Bola, a police officer serving with the Nigeria Police Force at the CPS Awka Division in Anambra State, return the sum of thirty thousand naira (₦30,000) she allegedly extorted from a victim, Samuel Nwabueze.
This call was made by the Delta State CDHR Chairman, Comrade (Elder) A.P. Edariese, during a press briefing held at Owhase, Udu Local Government Area of Delta State.
Comrade Edariese stated that the victim, Samuel Nwabueze, was detained for three days, which constituted a serious breach of his fundamental human rights.
The chairman warned that if the policewoman fails to return the money, the CDHR will escalate the matter to the Police Service Commission (PSC).
“She must return the money 100% and compensate this man for unlawful detention. If not, I will report it to the Police Service Commission for her dismissal,” stated Comrade Edariese.
Samuel Nwabueze, a scrap dealer, recounted his ordeal, explaining that his only offense was allowing someone to use his mobile phone for a business transaction, which led to the collection of one million naira from another individual.
Nwabueze, an indigene of Umule Community, Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State, was tracked and arrested by the police at Deco Road in Warri, Delta State, by officers from Awka, Anambra State.
According to Nwabueze, a complainant named Mr. Eze alleged that someone had collected one million naira (₦1,000,000) from him using Nwabueze’s phone.
The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) informed Nwabueze that he would be responsible for repaying the money because his phone was used for the transaction.
Nwabueze denied signing surety or giving consent for his phone to be used in this manner.
Nwabueze narrated, “Along the line of the transaction, this man used my phone. That was my only offense. I suggested to the DPO that I would use my phone to call this guy and arrange a meeting under the pretense of selling a battery.
The man came and was arrested. Despite this, the Supol refused to release me, demanding four hundred thousand naira (₦400,000).
Eventually, she lowered her demand to one hundred thousand naira (₦100,000).”
Nwabueze’s friend sent twenty thousand naira (₦20,000) to Supol Bola, but despite the DPO confirming that Nwabueze was not involved in the crime, Supol Bola kept the money.
Upon Nwabueze’s release, she gave him only three thousand naira (₦3,000) for transport, later sending an additional two thousand naira (₦2,000) through a POS operator.
In a telephone conversation with our correspondent, Supol Bola denied extorting Nwabueze, asserting that the money was used for operational expenses to apprehend the actual suspect.
She confirmed giving Nwabueze money for transport and monitoring his movement to Asaba.
As of the time of this report, efforts to reach the Anambra State Police Command Public Relations Officer for comments were unsuccessful.
