The Ebonyi State Police Command has challenged Mr Justice Ozobi to prove his allegation that the Commissioner of Police collected a total of N4.2 million from six families to secure the release of their sons, dismissing the claim as false and malicious and warning of legal action over defamatory publications.
The Command said the allegation, which was circulated on social media, was baseless and capable of misleading the public and damaging the reputation of the Commissioner of Police and the Nigeria Police Force.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Joshua Ukandu, stated this in a press statement issued on Tuesday in Abakaliki, in response to the social media publication attributed to Ozobi.
According to the police, Ozobi had alleged that the newly appointed Commissioner of Police in Ebonyi State ordered the collection of N700,000 each from six families before their sons, who were allegedly arrested in connection with a land dispute, could be released.
The alleged amount translates to N4.2 million across the six families.
The Command, however, categorically denied the allegation, describing it as “false, unfounded, and without basis.”
Ukandu said the Command would ordinarily have ignored the publication but decided to respond in order to clarify the facts and prevent members of the public from being misled.
He said the publication contained what the Command regarded as typographical errors, incoherent assertions and factual inaccuracies, adding that the photograph used in the post was that of a former Commissioner of Police who had long retired.
“The picture used in the post is that of the long-retired former Commissioner of Police, Ebonyi State Command, further demonstrating the author’s apparent lack of basic research and due diligence before publishing such a serious allegation,” the statement said.
The Command also disputed the alleged connection between the police and the land dispute said to have led to the arrest of the affected persons.
According to Ukandu, the police do not handle land disputes and, therefore, any attempt to link the Commissioner of Police or the Command to the alleged collection of money over a land-related matter was “completely baseless.”
“The Command further wishes to clarify that it does not handle land disputes. Consequently, any attempt to link the Commissioner of Police or the Command to the alleged collection of money for a land-related matter or the release of persons allegedly arrested in connection with such a dispute is completely baseless,” he said.
The Command described the allegation as “grave and malicious,” alleging that it was calculated to tarnish the reputation and integrity of the Commissioner of Police and distract the command from its statutory responsibilities.
It maintained that the command under the leadership of the Commissioner of Police remained focused on protecting lives and property, preventing crime and maintaining peace and security across Ebonyi State.
The police spokesman stressed that the Command was committed to professionalism, discipline, accountability and transparency, adding that genuine allegations of misconduct would be considered and investigated where credible evidence was provided.
“The Nigeria Police Force, Ebonyi State Command, remains committed to professionalism, discipline, accountability and transparency, and will not condone any act capable of bringing the Force into disrepute,” Ukandu said.
He added that “any allegation of misconduct against a police officer will be given due consideration and investigated on its merits where credible evidence is provided.”
The Command consequently challenged Ozobi to produce the evidence he claimed to possess to substantiate the allegation.
“Accordingly, the Command challenges Mr. Justice Ozobi to produce the evidence which he based his allegation, as he claimed in his post,” the statement said.
The police further criticised what it described as the publication of unsubstantiated allegations apparently aimed at generating traffic and engagement on social media platforms.
It urged members of the public to exercise restraint and responsibility when disseminating information, particularly allegations capable of damaging the reputation of individuals or institutions.
“While the Command respects the right of citizens to air their views and raise genuine concerns, the deliberate publication and circulation of false, malicious or defamatory information will not be tolerated,” Ukandu said.
The Command also warned that it would pursue lawful remedies against individuals who deliberately circulated information considered false or defamatory.
“Ebonyi State Command remains resolute in its commitment to accountability, transparency and professional policing, and will continue to take appropriate legal action against individuals who deliberately circulate false or defamatory information capable of misleading the public, in accordance with the law,” the statement added.
The police response followed a social media post attributed to Ozobi in which he allegedly claimed that the Commissioner of Police was aware of the purported payments and threatened to expose what he described as corruption within the police.
The Command did not disclose the identities or circumstances of the six persons allegedly arrested, but firmly denied that the Commissioner of Police or the Command collected money as a condition for their release.
The allegation has therefore been rejected by the police, with the Command placing the burden on the accuser to provide credible evidence to support the claim.
As of the time of the police statement, no evidence substantiating the alleged ₦4.2 million payment was presented by the Command, while the police maintained that any credible evidence of misconduct would be considered and investigated in accordance with the law.
