A Kaduna-based businessman, Aliyu Abba, has accused two officers from the Nigeria Police Force Intelligence Department of extorting a ₦750,000 bribe from him in the course of a civil business disagreement involving his Indian associate.
Speaking to Chronicles Reporters, Abba explained that his business relationship with Indian national, Sajith Madhu, who operated through his firm Nostromo Trading Nigeria Ltd, revolved around the supply of dry split ginger worth ₦819 million. According to Abba, Madhu had diverted over ₦44 million from that sum for his personal use.
While Madhu was meant to make full payment for the ginger, both parties reportedly agreed to settle the remaining balance through a new deal. However, tensions escalated after Madhu—who was later accused by his own company of mismanaging funds—accused Abba of not fulfilling his payment obligations.
To address the issue, both parties signed an agreement on November 13, 2023, at the Department of State Services (DSS) office in Kano. As per the agreement, Abba acknowledged a debt of ₦66,987,340 and committed to offset part of it by delivering 114 metric tonnes of soybeans valued at ₦45 million by December 15, 2023.
It was also stipulated in the agreement that Madhu would buy no fewer than three truckloads of soybeans each week, with payments made based on current market prices.
Abba said he fulfilled his end of the deal, delivering the soybeans and offering reasonable settlement options. However, he alleged that Madhu resorted to using law enforcement officers to intimidate him, rather than resolving the matter amicably.
“I honoured our agreement and even gave him flexible alternatives, but instead of sorting things out peacefully, he keeps using the police to go after me,” Abba stated.
He claimed that two police officers—Sunday and Mathew Abu—arrested and detained him in Abuja, demanding ₦750,000 for bail, despite the matter being under the jurisdiction of the Kano State Police Command.
Abba said he paid the bribe in three instalments—₦500,000, ₦150,000, and ₦100,000—via a Point of Sale (POS) agent provided by the officers themselves.
He added that the officers told him the money was requested by their superior, SP Gazama, who is said to be the personal assistant to the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Benjamin Nebolisa Okolo.
Despite having secured a court injunction from the Kano State High Court restraining the police from arresting or detaining him over the civil matter, Abba said the officers continued to summon him to Abuja. He lamented that the repeated summons had disrupted his business engagements in Lagos and Port Harcourt.
In a leaked audio allegedly between Abba and Officer Mathew, Mathew is heard acknowledging receipt of ₦750,000 and pressing for an additional ₦500,000. Abba can be heard saying, “Mathew, I gave ₦500,000, ₦150,000, and ₦100,000, and now you’re asking for more. You know things are hard in the country.”
Mathew replied, “If you can make it ₦500,000, I will talk to Gazama.”
Abba then agreed, saying, “Okay, talk to him. I will be waiting.”
During a visit to the FID office in Abuja, Abba said a senior officer eventually took him to DIG Okolo. However, Okolo reportedly said he was unaware of the case.
Abba said that after that meeting, he was confronted by Officers Sunday, Abu, and SP Gazama, who allegedly threatened him for going directly to the DIG without informing them first.
“I should be in Lagos and Port Harcourt attending to my business, but they keep dragging me to Abuja. This harassment is killing my business,” he said.
He also claimed the officers told him that the court order was meaningless to them and they would continue with their actions regardless.
When contacted by Chronicles Reporters, Officer Mathew Abu confirmed knowing Abba and acknowledged that a case had been reported in which Abba’s name came up. However, he denied any knowledge of the ₦750,000 bribe.
“I know about Aliyu Abba, but who did he give ₦750,000 to? I don’t know anything about that,” he stated.
Abu added that a petition had been submitted by Nostromo Trading Nigeria Ltd against Madhu, and Abba was implicated, which was why he was invited.
Attempts to reach Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, were unsuccessful as calls and messages sent to him were unanswered at the time of reporting.
When Chronicles Reporters contacted Madhu for comment on the claims that he was using the police to intimidate Abba, he dismissed the accusation.
“Do you think the Nigerian police would harass someone?” Madhu asked.
He maintained that Abba owed ₦152 million and that the police were involved because the company had filed a formal complaint.
“Aliyu is owing a company ₦152 million. If he’s not guilty, he can prove his innocence. The case is under investigation at the FID office in Abuja,” Madhu said.
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