A dismissed Nigerian Police officer, Victor Afam Banor, is facing a Federal High Court in Lagos for stealing N20million from The Nigerian Police. "He has once stolen an exhibit vehicle of a case that was being investigated" says IG.
A dismissed Nigerian Police officer, Victor Afam Banor, is facing a Federal High Court in Lagos for stealing N20million from The Nigerian Police, a sum meant for the salaries of the officers of the Enugu State Police Command. This was told to the court on Tuesday, November 13 2014 by Suleiman Abba, the Inspector-General of Police.
Suleiman Abba
The Inspector-General said that Victor Banor has been earlier dismissed from the Police for stealing an exhibit vehicle of a case that was being investigated only to escape police detention. After his escape, he showed up at another Police Command (in Enugu) with a false identity as a Deputy Superintendent of Police. With this false identity, he assumed office as the officer-in-charge of the Mechanised Salaries Section, following the retirement of the former officer-in-charge.
As the OC (officer-in-charge), he had access to funds that were intended for the salaries of officers. That was when he allegedly diverted salaries, stealing the sum of N20million in March 2011 and absconded. He also used his position to earn 15 different salaries from The Nigerian Police. He left a note that he has resigned his position to join the militant group of the Niger-Delta region of the country.
After several police officers under Banor complained that their salaries were being diverted, he was apprehended in Onitsha on April 15 and held in Police detention for the second time but he was not charged to court. This made him apply to be released on bail or charged to court, saying that his detention of over eight months without charge is illegal and an infringement of his rights as stipulated in the 1999 constitution.
Presided by Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke, the Federal High Court heard his appeal for release. His case is adjourned till the 21st of November.