IGP Accuses Ex-Policeman Of Stealing N20m Salary Funds

IGP Accuses Ex-Policeman Of Stealing N20m Salary Funds

The Inspector-General of Police, Suileiman Abba on Wednesday told the Federal High Court in Lagos how a dismissed police officer, Victor Afam Banor, stole N20 million meant to pay salaries of officers of the Enugu State Police Command.

Abba also told the court that Banor, who was dismissed while serving at the Umunede Police Division in Delta State for allegedly stealing an exhibit vehicle in a criminal case under investigation, has been earning salaries from 15 difference police commands before he was discovered.

These allegations were contained in a counter-affidavit filed by the police authority in opposition to a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by Banor praying the court to release him from detention.

The applicant in the suit had told the court that he had been held for over eight months by the police without charge, and prayed the court presided over by Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke, to either order his release or direct the police to charge him in a court.

Banor had insisted that his continued detention violated his fundamental rights as guaranteed in 1999 Constitution. 

He joined the IGP, the Commissioner of Police, Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Adeniji Adele Road, Lagos; and the Investigating Police Officer (IPO) DSP Solomon Igwe as respondents.

But in the counter-affidavit filed by the Officer-in-Charge of the Legal Department (O/C Legal), Zone 2, Justin Enang on behalf of the IGP, the police urged the court not to release Banor because investigation into his alleged crime is still ongoing.

According to the police, after Banor was arrested for his alleged crimes, he leter escaped from detention and resurfaced at the Enugu Command with a falsified signature, claiming to still be a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP).

"When the officer-in-charge (O/C) of the command’s Mechanised Salary Section (MSS) retired, Banor assumed office as the “O/C MSS”. It was while holding this position that in March 2011, he allegedly absconded with the money.

“While absconding from office, the applicant (Banor) dropped a note stating that nobody should look for him because he has resigned to join his militant groups at the creeks of the Niger Delta region,” Abba said.

The police also claimed that several officers under Banor complained that their salaries were diverted, and that he did not turn up until he was arrested in Onitsha, Anambra State on April 15.

"When he was arrested, he claimed to be a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), flashing a police warrant card and demanding to be shown respect as a “senior officer”.

"Photocopies of forged police Identity Cards were found on him, with the names: “CSP” Afamefuna Banor V. and “W/SGT” Hannah Markson Banor, among others.

"The police further found badges and insignia of a Deputy Commissioner of Police at his home, adding that he absconded from the Enugu Command with a Police Barretta Pistol loaded eight rounds of ammunition.

“Ongoing investigation has revealed a barrage of forgeries leading to monumental fraud by the applicant who opened more than 25 bank accounts using fictitious names with which he has been collecting and still collects monthly salaries from over 15 command payrolls across the country,” the respondents said.

According to the police, Banor allegedly opened different accounts in First Bank Plc (four accounts), Fidelity Bank, GTBank (three), Skye Bank (two), Access Bank (six), Fidelity Bank (two), Diamond Bank and UBA (two).

He allegedly opened one of the accounts in Onitsha, using police letter-headed paper with a Deputy Inspector-General of Police Logo, claiming to be residing in the police barracks as a Superintendent of Police.

“It will be in the interest of justice to refuse this application as many lives are still at risk since the applicant has refused to produce the police automatic weapon he absconded with.”

Justice Aneke had adjourned the case till November 21 for ruling on Banor’s bail application