The Nigerian police has told a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos that a dismissed police officer, Victor Afam Banor, earned salaries from 15 difference police commands.
He also allegedly stole N20 million meant for salaries of officers of the Enugu State Police Command, the Inspector-General of Police, Suileiman Abba, told the court.
Banor was dismissed while serving at the Umunede Police Division in Delta State for allegedly stealing an exhibit vehicle in a criminal case under investigation, Nationa reported.
He escaped from detention and resurfaced at the Enugu Command with a falsified signature, claiming to still be a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP).
When the officer-in-charge (O/C) of the command’s Mechanised Salary Section (MSS) retired, Banor assumed office as the “O/C MSS.”
It was while holding this position that he allegedly absconded with the money in March 2011.
“While absconding from office, the applicant (Banor) dropped a note stating that nobody should look for him because he has resigned to join his militant groups at the creeks of the Niger Delta region”, Abba said.
These were contained in a counter-affidavit filed in opposition to an application by Banor, praying the court to release him from police detention.
The applicant said he had been held for over eight months without charge, and prayed the court presided over by Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke, to either order his release or direct the police to charge him to court.
Banor said his continued detention violated his fundamental rights as guaranteed in 1999 Constitution.
He joined the IGP, the Commissioner of Police, Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Adeniji Adele Road, Lagos, and the Investigating Police Officer (IPO), DSP Solomon Igwe, as respondents.
In the counter-affidavit filed on Tuesday by the Officer-in-Charge of the Legal Department (O/C Legal), Zone 2, Mr. Justin Enang, the police urged the court not to release Banor because investigation into his alleged crime is still ongoing.
The police said several officers under Banor complained that their salaries were diverted, and that he did not turn up until he was arrested in Onitsha, Anambra State on April 15.
Comentarios