An upcoming artiste named Efemena Richard has described how certain police officers reportedly extorted N1 million from him.
Additionally, the artiste was photographed and had to sign several documents by the officers stationed at Lagos State’s Muritala Muhammed International Airport.
An X user identified as Harrison Gwamnishu, but tweeting as #HarrisonBbi18, shared a video of the artiste recounting his ordeal via his X handle late Monday, October 21, 2024.
Gwamnishu noted that Richard informed him via Instagram.
The messages read, “Boss, [the] police just extorted me. They took 1 million naira from me after searching my phone at the airport and found nothing.
“I was headed to the airport when they stopped me. I told them I was already missing my flight, but they refused to allow me to go,” adding that they [the police] forced him to transfer the sum from his account before going to Warri, Delta State.
The 3 minutes-long video which was tagged, “One million naira extorted from a music artist #smookyhighgrade by some police officers attached to the Beesam Police Station before Muritala Mohammed Airport, Lagos,” showed the artiste in a moving vehicle, alleging that he was held by some police officers who demanded $10,000 from him before he could catch his flight at the airport.
“They asked for $10,000. They gave me papers to write [on] that they will leave me if I write anything I’m asked to write, so I can go catch my flight. I could have left the money, but I can’t, it’s a lot of money. Nigerians, please help me, N1 million is no small money.”
He explained that at the police’ request, he recorded one of the men, displaying the dark-stained tips of his fingers, which he claimed were evidence of thumbprints.
The artiste also recounted that he was captured on camera when officers coerced him into speaking [to demonstrate that he wasn’t under duress] and signing papers that would serve as his consent. He then instructed his sister to transfer the N1 million.
“They even asked for my blockchain wallet, I don’t know what concerns the police with that. I’m just an upcoming artiste, not a fraudster. I just came from South Africa to promote my music. I was heading home to see my mum before I experienced this.
Reacting to the tweet on Monday, the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, called on the Lagos Police Command PRO, Benjamin Hundeyin, and the PRO, Airport Command, to commence an investigation into the matter.
“#PoliceNG_CRU, #PoliceNG, contact #BenHundeyin and PRO Airport Command to fish out these men and revert please. Thanks,” the tweet read.
