DSP in Trouble After Falling Into Trap by Taking N24,000 Marked Bribe Money

A Deputy Superintendent of Police, Mr. David Ekong, of the Cross River State Police Command and some of his subordinates are in serious trouble after falling into a bribery trap prepared by an Assistant Inspector General of police.



The corrupt officers took N24,000 marked money as part of the N250, 000 demanded from a certain Mr. Ottobong Inyang for his bail.

According to reports, Ekong and his team had unlawfully arrested and detained Inyang and demanded as bribe the sum of N250,000 for his bail. Inyang was arrested on February 19 and detained at the state Police Command headquarters in Calabar but was released on February 21 after paying N50, 000 to Ekong.

According to Punch, Inyang was arrested for alleged armed robbery and car theft shortly after he bought a Volkswagen Passat from a car shop along IBB Way by Eta-Agbor roundabout in Calabar.

The police, had on arrest, claimed that the car was stolen during a robbery but the date and scene of the incident were not disclosed. However, the car dealer who sold the car to Inyang was not arrested which suggested it was a setup.

Inyang was forced while in detention to pay N250, 000 for his release, but at the long run, he agreed to pay N100, 000. He was able to deposit N50, 000 before he secured his freedom on February 21 but was asked to bring the balance by February 22 or he would be rearrested.

However, the luck of the corrupt officers ran out after Inyang assembled a legal team that approached the AIG in charge of Zone Six, Mr. Adisa Bolanta, to formally lay the complaints.

According to a source, Mr. Omini Bassey, said while in the AIG’s office, Ekong kept calling for the balance and instructed Inyang to bring the money to Watt Market area of Calabar South.

“While still in the AIG’s office, a follow-up call came from one Agu (a corporal) who said he had instruction from Ekong to collect the N24, 000 balance from him. He said he was already waiting at Watt Market,” Bassey said. It was at that point that the AIG marked N24, 000 himself and gave it as part of the balance to be handed to Ekong. “The AIG also put detectives on the trail of Ekong and his accomplices.

The money was eventually delivered to Agu and soon after, the detectives swooped on him and arrested him with the balance in his pocket,” he added.

It was learnt that Ekong was subsequently picked up from his beat along with others who participated in the bribery deal.

The AIG has ordered an orderly room trial and dismissal of the affected policemen if found guilty.

Zone Six Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Nwibani Baritoge, said the orderly trial was currently ongoing to determine the fate of those involved.

“I am aware of the case. An orderly room trial is on to determine their fate,” he said.