A Superintendent of Police, Ibrahim Sini, has revealed the main he reason he rebuffed a N150m bribe allegedly offered to him by a Lagos-based businessman, Akintoye Akindele.
According to a court document filed on August 18, 2023, Akindele, then chairman of Duport Midstream Company, was charged before the Federal Capital Territory High Court for allegedly offering a bribe to Sini, who was investigating a $5 million fraud case preferred against Akindele.
The Police said the investigation followed a petition submitted to the Inspector-General of Police FIB by Summit Oil International Limited.
Mr. Akindele’s ordeal reportedly began with a petition to the Nigeria Police Force. The petition alleged that he sold crude oil to Duport Midstream Company Limited, a firm he was then serving as interim managing director, and received payment for it.
He reportedly failed to account for the transaction when confronted, and allegedly opposed all attempts by the board-appointed forensic auditor to look into suspected anomalies in the company’s financial records.
To obstruct the ongoing investigation, the allegation states, and flee abroad and ensure that the Police provide a favourable report on his case, Mr. Akindele, 50, allegedly offered a bribe to the officer in charge.
The Police said his offence was punishable under Section 118 of the Penal Code.
The IGP had instituted a four counts against Akindele for allegedly diverting $5,636,397.01, and another N73,543,763.25 belonging to Summit Oil International Ltd.
Akindele and his company, the second defendant in the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CR/570/2023, were said to have committed the act between 2017 and 2021 when they allegedly converted the said sum received from Shell Petroleum Company into personal use.
Akindele, who was arraigned for the offence at the Federal High Court in Abuja in August 2023, was remanded in the Kuje correctional centre when he could not perfect his N750 million bail with two sureties in like sum.
Speaking at a dinner organised to honour him on Friday in Abuja by Vegas Homes, Sini said, “I am very happy to be here, and I want to appreciate the organisers of this programme. They have beat my imagination, and they have added more grease to my elbow.
“Yes, I remember when the incident happened. The person in question asked me, ‘Do you want to be rich? This is an opportunity for you to be rich’
“I responded that it depends on the kind of riches. I would like to have money so that I can lay my head down and sleep at night. I don’t want to have something that will make me think twice and be running from one hole to another. So, I would like to do justice and have peace of mind.
“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.”
Continuing, Sidi said, “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.”
In addition to the honour, Sini was also awarded a plot of land in Abuja. Presenting the document of the land to Sini, the Federal Capital Territory Commissioner of Police, Benneth Igweh, said SP Sini’s conduct has brought pride to the Nigeria 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 enthused.
Also, the Chief Executive Officer of Vegas Homes, Chukwuemeka Okoye, said, “SP Sini’s actions have not only brought honour to himself and the Nigeria Police Force, but it has also inspired countless others to stand firm against corruption and uphold the highest ethical standards. His integrity serves as a beacon of hope, demonstrating that even in challenging circumstances, it is possible to remain true to one’s values.
“This honour is aimed at not only appreciating the laudable conduct of Superintendent Ibrahim Sini but to demonstrating that society appreciates individuals 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”.
