New details have emerged regarding the suspension of Deputy Inspector General of Police (AIG) Abduyari Lafia, AIG in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), whose suspension was announced on January 17, with effect from January 9 of 2025.
The Police Service Commission (PSC), which approved the suspension of Abduyari in a letter dated January 9, 2025, had informed the police authorities through a letter with reference AP:41804/FS/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.IV/ 3 that asked him to proceed. Suspension with effect from January 9.
Sunday Tribune investigations, however, confirmed that the development was connected to a long and endless web of investigations, petitions and court cases involving the AIG, FCID and some officers, as well as a Lagos-based cape and a company that built a Mammy. Market for the Nigerian Army in Ikeja, Lagos.
It was learned that a case of forgery and theft to the tune of N36 billion was originally referred to AIG Abduyari and his team at the FCID. Following the intervention, his team was able to recover the sum of N1 billion with the culprits promising to repay N18 billion within a short time.
However, investigations revealed that a twist occurred in the case when a lawyer, Mr. Victor Ukut, in a petition dated April 30, 2024 sent to the Inspector General of Police and the Minister of Police Affairs, accused AIG Abduyari of abuse of power and other similar crimes. offenses
The three-legged petition titled: “Petition for theft against AIG Abduyari Shuaya'u Lafia and other police officers of the Force Intelligence Bureau (FIB) and theft of the sum of six hundred and ninety-two million one hundred and twenty-two thousand naira from the bank accounts of Woobs Resources Limited at Fidelity Bank PLC; SUBJECT: Complaint against AIG Abduyari Shuyau Lafia, ACP Mohammed Lawan, abuse of position and police power by officers and officials of the Force Intelligence Bureau (FIB) and request for the Police Service Commission to investigate and intervene; Subject: Petition for falsification of official records/documents of the Nigerian Army and Woobs Resources Limited (Concessionaire of the Nigerian Army) to obtain an Architectural Practice License, Looting and Obtaining Money by False Pretenses by Mr. James Uchechukwu Onyemenam ”.
It is learned that the requests came after AIG Abduyari and his team were instructed to invite the parties in the matter for an interview with the highest police authorities. A directive dated May 20, 2024 stated that AIG was reminded to transfer the case file and hand over all evidence in the case involving Woobs Resources Limited without further delay.
However, a certified true copy of the police investigation report into the matter on December 16, 2024 seen by the Sunday Tribune exonerated Abduyari and the other officers of the crime, while recommending that some people associated with the company be prosecuted. .
The report titled: “Subject: Request for certified true copy of police investigation report pursuant to Section 1(1), (2) and (3) of the Freedom of Information Act 2011…Subject: Criminal conspiracy case , theft, forgery and abuse of office,” dated December 16, 2024 and signed by CP Emmanuel A. Aina, psc+, Commissioner of Police, Special Investigation Bureau Force Criminal Investigation Department (SEB), Area 10, Garki Abuja, states in paragraph XXXVIII as follows: “That there is no evidence linking AIG Abduyari Shuayau Lafia and the investigating police officers with theft, forgery or abuse of power as alleged by the petitioner” .
In paragraph XXXIX, the report further stated: “That there is no evidence to prove the transfer to the account of James Onyemenam or AIG Abduyari Shuayau Lafia as alleged.
The report in paragraph XXXVIII states: “That there is no evidence linking AIG Abduyari Shuayau Lafia and the Investigative Police Officers with theft, forgery or abuse of power as alleged by the petitioner.”
In paragraph XXXIX, the report further stated: “That there is no evidence to prove the transfer to the account of James Onyemenam or AIG Abduyari Shuayau Lafia as alleged.”
The police report also stated that the allegation that the Managing Director of Fidelity Bank PLC, Dr Nneka C Onyeali-Ikpe, bailed herself out of the FCID with the sum of N5 billion was a misrepresentation, while clarifying that the said bail It was a bond. about said amount, which he filled out in personal recognition.
The report states that instead of indicting AIG Abduyari and his team, “a prima facie case of giving false information” has been established against the petitioner.
Despite the detailed report held by the police exonerating AIG and his team, the PSC suspended AIG Abduyari on January 9, 2025.
Investigations revealed that Abduyari, who had run-ins with a former inspector general of police in connection with fraud investigations, may have offended some powerful police interests when he referred a direct criminal complaint to the Abuja Magistrate's Court, ostensibly to clear his name. after the publication of some accusations against him in the online newspaper Sahara Reporters.
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