Mrs. Gladys Ubogu Okeoghene, a resident of Afiesere town in Ughelli, Delta State, has petitioned the Nigeria Police Force, alleging extortion and misconduct by officers investigating the theft of her two vehicles.
The petition, addressed to the Assistant Inspector-General of Police at Zone 5 Headquarters in Benin, Edo State, details how her ordeal began in 2022. According to Mrs. Okeoghene, her 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 cars and fled to Kenya.
Seeking help from the Ughelli Area Command in October 2024, Mrs. Okeoghene was assigned Investigating Police Officer (IPO) Ebinum Odiri Oghenerukevwe. She alleges that the IPO demanded N2,186,000 for “office movement” and “tracking fees” to recover the vehicles. Despite making the payment, only the GLK 350 was recovered, while the C400 remains in police custody. She claims additional money was requested for its release.
Mrs. Okeoghene also accuses the IPO of withholding information about the bail granted to the suspects, including the fugitive mechanic. She further alleges intimidation and threats from the IPO, adding that her recovered vehicle remains seized.
In her petition, she 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 also sent to the International Human Rights Commission (IHRC) and the US Institute of Diplomacy and Human Rights, Nigeria Office.
However, SP Edafe Bright, spokesperson for the Delta State Police Command, provided a different account. He explained that the vehicles were initially returned to Mrs. Okeoghene but were later retrieved by the police after a buyer presented evidence of purchasing them from her 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.”
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