The Delta State Police Command has debunked rumours of alleged extortion of N250,000 by the DPO “B” Division Warri.
According to a press release by the Command, the suspect was arrested for the offense of conspiracy and stealing, charged to court and remanded in Okere Prison, Warri.
The statement by signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, released on Tuesday read:
“The command is aware of a false publication on the internet and other social media platforms orchestrated by one Comrade Peter Edariese alleging that the DPO and men of ‘B’ Division Warri arrested one Godstime Edesiri over undisclosed crime and was forced to pay two hundred and forty thousand naira (#240,000) bail.
“For the avoidance of doubt and to put the record straight, the command wishes to state as follows;
“On the 28th of October 2024 at about 1540hours, one Mrs Helen Ogodogun reported that on the same date, her phone Samsung Galaxy AO5s, worth one hundred and sixty-five thousand naira was stolen on transit and two hundred and fifteen thousand naira (#215,000) was transferred from her bank account and used to purchase airtime through USSD.
“On receipt of the complaint, the investigation was extended to the bank, and the Police were furnished with the account details and phone number 09060671012 which was recharged from the victim’s account.
“On the 3rd of December 2024, technically driven investigation led to the arrest of one Godstime Edesiri whose phone contained the sim card that was recharged on the said date that the transaction occurred.
“The suspect opted for an out-of-court settlement with the complainant with the hope that justice could be perverted. On 14th January 2024, the suspect was arraigned in court on charges of conspiracy and stealing and was remanded in Okere Prison Warri.”
“The Commissioner of Police Delta State, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, therefore urges human rights activists and journalists to engage the command through the Police Public Relations Officer and verify facts before resorting to publication on social media in order not to mislead the public”, the statement ended.
