Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has accused the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force of shielding a massive Ponzi scheme allegedly operated from within the Force Headquarters by an international fraud suspect, Jesam Michael. Sowore claimed the operation thrived due to protection allegedly provided by top police officers, including Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
In a statement posted on his X (formerly Twitter) account on Monday, Sowore described the situation as “organised criminality,” alleging that Michael enjoyed official backing despite widespread complaints from victims. He said he met the suspect at the Kuje Correctional Centre in October 2025, where Michael allegedly detailed how senior police officers provided office space, armed escorts and operational cover for the scheme, which reportedly defrauded thousands of Nigerians.
Sowore further alleged that Michael claimed to have paid huge bribes to senior police officers, including a now-retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police, to avoid arrest and prosecution. According to him, the suspect also funded projects within police formations, renovated facilities at the Force Headquarters and allegedly provided personal benefits, including houses and accommodation, to some serving and retired officers.
The activist expressed outrage that, despite these allegations, police prosecutors were still pursuing cybercrime charges against some alleged victims of the Ponzi scheme at the Federal High Court in Abuja. He said the victims were being defended by human rights lawyer Maxwell Opara, adding that the continued prosecution of victims while the alleged fraudster enjoys leniency reflects deep injustice within the system.
Sowore also claimed that after his public disclosures, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) reassigned the prosecutor handling Michael’s case and that the suspect was later granted bail under what he described as unusually soft conditions. He warned that unless urgent action is taken, the case would further erode public trust in law enforcement, insisting that those accused of enabling the alleged fraud within the police hierarchy must be independently investigated.