By Admin 
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By Peter Onyekachukwu Warri
DELTA: The Delta State Chairman of the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), Comrade (Elder) A.P. Edariese, has called on the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, to direct the Delta State Commissioner of Police (CP), Olufemi Abaniwonda, to ensure the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of “B” Division, Warri, refunds the sum of N240,000 allegedly extorted from a young man, Godstime Edesiri.
Edariese made this appeal during a press conference held in Udu Local Government Area of Delta State, where he accused the police of unlawful arrest, extortion, and intimidation of the victim, who hails from Oginibo Community, Ughelli South LGA.
According to Edariese, the police also seized Edesiri’s mobile phone and demanded an additional N100,000 as a condition for its release.
“We are calling on the Delta CP to caution the DPO. He is already planning to arraign this young man in court on Monday, January 13, and we will resist it,” Edariese said.
He added, “If our demands are not met, I will escalate this matter to the Police Service Commission (PSC) to ensure the DPO and everyone involved are sanctioned.”
Narrating the incident, Comrade Edariese said the ordeal began on December 3, 2024, when Edesiri was arrested in his village over an allegation of phone theft.
“The police claimed that a complainant reported a case where her phone was stolen and used to withdraw N200,000 from her account. They said the money was traced to Edesiri’s account in Oginibo without any proper investigation,” he explained.
“They forced him to pay N240,000, claiming that N200,000 was for the complainant and N40,000 for his bail. They also seized his Redmi AX3 phone, which he uses for his POS business, and refused to return it unless he pays another N100,000.”
Edariese accused the police of using intimidation tactics to extract money from the victim, saying, “This is pure abuse of office and theft by trick. If he doesn’t pay, they will keep his phone as their own.”
The CDHR chairman said he made several efforts to resolve the issue with the DPO but was rebuffed.
“I personally led a team to meet with the DPO on January 6, but he refused to meet us. I’m 78 years old, yet he disrespected me. Instead, he threatened to charge Edesiri to court,” he lamented.
“This young man has no proof against him. The police have no statement from the alleged complainant or any bank document showing the stolen money was transferred to his account.”
Speaking to our correspondent, Edesiri, 23, denied the police’s claims.
“I did not commit any crime. I don’t know why they arrested me and took my money,” he said.
Efforts to get the Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe for comment on the matter were unsuccessful as he did not respond to text messages sent to him.
CDHR has vowed to continue the fight to ensure justice is served.