A Nigerian businessman, Abel Ebilene Fimienye has accused some officers of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) of extortion, intimidation, unlawful detention and gross violation of his fundamental human rights.

In a petition to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, the businessman accused Habib Mohammed and Sadiq Abubakar, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) and Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), respectively, of harassment, coercion and wrongful detention at the Mabushi Police Division under the FCT Police Command, Abuja.

The petition, which was signed on his behalf by his lawyer, Sydney Ben-Iwo, disclosed that Fimienye, an indigene of Rivers State, has been detained for about a month since Thursday, October 10, 2024, without due process.

Fimienye identified CSP Abubakar and ASP Mohammed as key figures in his ordeal who are allegedly acting at the behest of an unnamed Assistant Inspector General (AIG), stating that the Police have engaged in intimidation tactics and attempted to force him into an illicit financial settlement.

The Rivers-born businessman’s ordeal reportedly began when staff at a Port Harcourt branch of Fidelity Bank detained Fimienye under ASP Mohammed’s directive. After being held at the bank for several hours, he was transferred to Elekahia Police Station and later to the Mabushi Police Division in Abuja.

At Mabushi, Fimienye’s lawyers allege that he was denied access to information regarding the specific allegations against him. Despite requests, neither he nor his legal team have been provided with a copy of any formal complaint or evidence to support his continued detention.

The petition outlines a series of concerning events, including an incident on October 11 when military personnel allegedly visited Fimienye at Mabushi station, where they were allowed to intimidate and harass him. Additionally, it alleges that ASP Mohammed obtained an ex-parte court order to examine Fimienye’s bank account details but failed to secure a legal warrant for his arrest and detention.

Fimienye’s lawyers argue that this lack of transparency and procedural oversight violates his fundamental rights.

According to his legal team, Fimienye’s prolonged detention is being used to pressure him into a financial settlement, purportedly to compensate unnamed “complainants” who allegedly lost money copying his foreign exchange trades. The officers have reportedly demanded that he refund 30% of the alleged losses as a condition for his release. They further claim that Fimienye has been denied bail, despite presenting reliable sureties.

The petition also alleges that ASP Mohammed falsely claimed that Fimienye’s vehicle was involved in a crime scene in Abuja. Under this pretense, police moved his vehicle from Rivers State to Abuja and are now pressuring him to sell the car to raise twenty million naira as part of the settlement.

 His lawyers maintain that Fimienye’s business activities were independent of any investments from these unnamed “complainants,” adding that the investors are self-directed traders responsible for their accounts.

 Fimienye’s legal representatives call for an immediate investigation by the IGP into the conduct of the officers involved.

They argue that the police should handle the matter as a civil dispute rather than one warranting detention and intimidation. Concerned for Fimienye’s safety, his lawyers report threats of transferring him to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and fear further actions to extort him.

In their appeal to the IGP, the petitioners urge a swift response to prevent additional rights violations and to ensure Fimienye’s release, citing the need for justice, transparency, and accountability within the Nigerian Police Force.

Efforts by Kristina Reports to get the confirmation of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) through the Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi was yet unsuccessful as at the time of this report as he was yet to respond to messages sent to his mobile line.