The Inspector-General of Police, Suleiman Abba, has told a Federal High Court in Lagos how a dismissed police officer, Victor Afam Banor, has been earning salary from 15 different police commands.
He told the court presided over by Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke that the suspect also allegedly stole N20 million meant for salaries of officers of the Enugu State Police Command.
These were contained in a counter-affidavit filed yesterday by the Officerin- Charge of the Legal Department (O/C Legal), Zone 2, Mr Justin Enang, urging the court not to release Banor because investigation into his alleged crime is still ongoing.
Banor had in an application prayed the court to release him from police detention, adding that he had been held for over eight months without charge.
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.
Banor was dismissed while serving at the Umunede Police Division in Delta State for allegedly stealing an exhibit vehicle in a criminal case under investigation.
He escaped from detention and resurfaced at the Enugu Command with a falsified signature, claiming to still be a Deputy Superintendent of Police, DSP.
Banor said his continued detention violated his fundamental rights as guaranteed in 1999 Constitution.
But the police in a counter affidavit said the applicant (Banor) dropped a note stating that nobody should look for him because he has resigned to join militant groups in the creeks of the Niger Delta.
The police said 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 Berretta pistol loaded with eight rounds of ammunition.
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.
“Releasing the applicant will jeopardise our investigation as he is still dribbling us over the service pistol in his possession, taking us on a wild-goose chase. If the applicant is released on bail, the prosecution of the charges will be at risk and he will not make himself available for trial as he will run away as usual.
“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 has adjourned till November 21 to rule on Banor’s bail application.
Source: National Mirror
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