A resident of Afiesere town in Ughelli, Delta State, Mrs. Gladys Ubogu Okeoghene, has petitioned the Nigeria Police Force, accusing officers handling her stolen vehicle case of extortion and abuse of power.
In the petition, addressed to the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 5 Headquarters, Benin, Edo State, Mrs. Okeoghene claims her ordeal began in 2022 when her two vehicles—a GLK 350 and a C400—were stolen after being entrusted to a mechanic, Mr. Solomon David Orshieda, for repairs. She later discovered that Orshieda had sold the vehicles and fled to Kenya.
Seeking assistance from the Nigeria Police Force’s Ughelli Area Command in October 2024, Mrs. Okeoghene was assigned Investigating Police Officer (IPO) Ebinum Odiri Oghenerukevwe.
According to her, the IPO demanded a total of N2,186,000 for “office movement” and as “tracking fee” to recover the stolen vehicles. Despite making the payment, Mrs. Okeoghene alleges that only one of the vehicles, the GLK 350, was returned, while the C400 remains in police custody. She claims additional payment was demanded for its release.
Mrs. Okeoghene further alleges that she was not informed when bail was granted to the suspects, including the fugitive mechanic. She also accuses the IPO of intimidation and threats, stating that her recovered vehicle remains withheld.
In her petition, Mrs. Okeoghene wrote: “I am writing to bring to your attention a disturbing case of alleged police extortion and misconduct in the recovery of my stolen vehicles.
“In 2022, my family’s two cars, a GLK 350 and a C400, were stolen after being handed over to a mechanic, Mr. Solomon David Orshieda, for repairs. After discovering that Mr. Orshieda had sold the cars and fled to Kenya, I contacted the Nigeria Police Force Warri Area Command and IPO Ebinum Odiri Oghenerukevwe in October 2024.
“To my surprise, I was directed to pay N2,186,000 for the recovery of the vehicles, including payments for ‘office movement’ and ‘tracking.’
“Despite paying the requested amount, the police refused to release one of the recovered vehicles, the C400, and instead demanded additional payment.
“Furthermore, I was not informed or consulted when the police granted bail to the suspects, including Mr. Orshieda. The IPO handling my case has been intimidating and threatening me, and my recovered vehicle remains seized by the police.
“I urge you to take immediate action to address these concerns, ensure justice, and hold those responsible accountable.”
The petition was copied to the International Human Rights Commission (IHRC) and the US Institute of Diplomacy and Human Rights, Nigeria Office.
However, responding to the allegations, the Delta State Police Command spokesperson, SP Edafe Bright, explained that the vehicles were initially returned to Mrs. Okeoghene.
He added that the vehicles were later retrieved by the police after a buyer came forward with evidence proving he had legally purchased them from Mrs. Okeoghene’s son.
Bright stated: “She reported the vehicles as stolen, and we launched an investigation that extended to Lagos and Abuja, resulting in the recovery of the cars.
“The vehicles were returned to her, but a buyer later approached us with evidence showing he purchased them from her son. When confronted with this evidence, Mrs. Okeoghene and her son disappeared and have since refused to return to the Area Command.”
