According to a report originally published by SaharaReporters, the Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (FCIID) at Alagbon Police Station in Lagos State has been implicated in allegations of extorting ₦6 million from a suspect, Mr. Chinedu Ngwaka.
Ngwaka, a licensed Bureau De Change (BDC) operator, was arrested and detained for two weeks over claims of fraudulent activities reported by some of his customers.
The report states that a source from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) alleged that SP Eze, from the Anti-Fraud unit at Alagbon, facilitated the extortion of ₦3 million on two occasions—September 24 and September 28, 2024—during Ngwaka’s detention. The NHRC source added that Ngwaka’s accounts, as well as his wife Uchenna’s, were frozen, and his vehicle was confiscated as part of the investigation.
Ngwaka, alongside his wife, operates a Bureau De Change business. According to the report, a significant part of the issue stemmed from their agent, Mrs. Titilayo Eboh, who reportedly provided them with a fraudulent telex receipt, which was then forwarded to their customers. When the transactions failed, customers escalated the matter, resulting in Ngwaka’s arrest.
Eboh, who had previously been detained and released, is said to have made an undertaking and issued a cheque to cover the losses, but no funds have been credited to the affected customers. Eboh, reportedly tied to several fraudulent activities involving Bureau De Change operators, has also been arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on multiple charges, including foreign exchange malpractice and money laundering involving over ₦200 billion. Her husband, Mr. Livinus Eboh, denied involvement but acknowledged his wife’s dealings with Ngwaka and other complainants.
The police, however, publicly labelled Ngwaka a “serial fraudster,” with ASP Mayegun Aminat, the Public Relations Officer of the Alagbon Police Station, denying any knowledge of the alleged extortion. Aminat suggested that any money paid by Ngwaka might have been a bribe to conceal his activities. She further claimed that Ngwaka is on the wanted list of both the police and the EFCC for fraud and has not cooperated with investigations.
The NHRC confirmed that the case is under investigation, with CP Simon and two police officers identified for questioning regarding the allegations. Ngwaka has reportedly petitioned the NHRC concerning the extortion claims. Efforts by SaharaReporters to reach Mrs. Eboh for comments were unsuccessful.
