Why I rejected N150million bribe – Police officer

 

Story by Iyiola Ayomide

Ibrahim Sini, Nigeria police officer

A Nigerian police officer, Ibrahim Sini, said he turned down a N150m bribe allegedly offered to him by a Lagos-based businessman, Akintoye Akindele, to have peace of mind.

Akindele was arraigned for the offence at the Federal High Court in Abuja in August 2023 and was remanded in the Kuje correctional centre.

The businessman allegedly offered the bribe to Sini to allow police to permit him to escape abroad and to write a favourable report for him after the investigation.

“Yes, I remember when the incident happened. The person in question asked me, ‘Do you want to be rich?’ He said, ‘This is an opportunity for you to be rich,” Sini said at a dinner organised to honour him in Abuja.

“So, I decided to do the right thing so that I can have peace of mind and also stand to do what is right for myself, for my organisation, that is, the Nigeria Police and also for the country at large.”

The policeman advised youths in the country not to trade their integrity for anything.

“To the youth out there, I just want to tell them that integrity counts, that it’s good to be up and doing, that it’s possible to be in the midst of a lot of challenges and still stand to be different. Nigeria is our country, and Nigeria shall be great,” Sini said.

The Federal Capital Territory Commissioner of Police, Benneth Igweh, presented documents of a plot of land in Abuja to Sini and said his conduct has brought pride to the Nigerian Police Force.

“We are proud of you, I want to let you know that your conduct has brought pride to the Nigeria Police Force. We urge other members of the force to emulate SP Sini,” Igweh said.
Also, the organisers of the event, the Chief Executive Officer of Vegas Homes, Chukwuemeka Okoye, said Sini’s conduct remains exemplary and should inspire others and Nigerians to note that the Nigerian Police Force has men of integrity and good conduct.

“We want to also show that the Nigerian Police Force have officers that are professional, above board and with the right incentive to engage in meaningful policing and be worthy examples,” Okoye said.