A tenant, Henry Nwabueze, has been arrested by detectives attached to the Federal Criminal Investigations Department (FCID), Annex Alagbo, in the Ikoyi area of Lagos for allegedly using the name of Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), Idowu Owohunwa, to extort his landlord of N7 million.
Also arrested is his accomplice identified simply as Francis, who had allegedly demanded N7 million from his landlord, Engineer Alphonso Oham, claiming that he would use the amount to settle the AIG.
The landlord was forced to put up a strong-worded petition to the office of the AIG.
The police said Nwabueze had been living in Engineer Oham’ house and was owing rent since 2018, which resulted to legal action.
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Worried by the fact that he might lose his accommodation, the suspect then contracted Francis for assistance.
The police alleged that the two approached the landlord on the need to settle out of court, which resulted into an agreement.
The police said since then Nwabueze started extorting the victim and that about N1.5 million was collected from Ohams.
Parading the suspects, FCID’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Aminat Mayegun, said, “The incident came to light following a petition submitted by Lyke Agwu and Co. Law Firm on behalf of Engineer Alphonso Oham against Mr. Henry Nwabueze, a tenant occupying a flat in Thomas Estate, Ajah, since 2018.
“Mr. Nwabueze after making a confessional statement affirmed to have defaulted on his rent payments since 2018 till date, leading to legal proceedings initiated at the Tinubu Magistrate Court on February 6th, 2024. During a court session at the Igbosere Magistrate Court, Mr. Nwabueze, accompanied by an individual identified as Mr. Francis, coerced Engineer Oham into settling the matter out of court. Subsequently, Mr. Nwabueze demanded a sum of N2 million to resolve the issue, citing purported costs incurred.
“Upon further investigation, it became apparent that Mr. Nwabueze had expanded his extortion efforts, demanding an exorbitant sum of N7 million to purportedly settle matters with the AIG FCID Annex Alagbon, Ikoyi, Lagos.”
