When Sowore Alleged that N100m Was Paid Into IGP’s Son’s Account, I Called His Son Immediately-FPRO

 

During an interview on Channels Television, the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Benjamin Hundeyin, addressed recent claims by activist and publisher Omoyele Sowore that N100 million was paid into the bank account of the son of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP). 

The controversy has also drawn legal action, with the Nigeria Police Force securing interim court injunctions to restrain Sowore and his media outlet from publishing certain allegations about the IGP and his family.

Hundeyin told viewers he personally followed up on the allegation to clarify what occurred, saying he reached out directly to the IGP’s son to verify the details. He said that while the deposit did appear in the son’s account briefly, it was reversed immediately at the son’s instruction and that there was no evidence of a subsequent re-deposit or withdrawal, contrary to what some online reports have claimed.

According to him, “You could remember when he said, ‘Oh, N100 million was paid into the account of the son of the IGP,’ and I called the son of the IGP immediately to find out what happened, and he explained. ‘Yes, I saw N100 million in my account, and I told my account officer to reverse the money immediately,’ which he did. He printed out his statement of account, he showed it to me, he sent it to me, and I saw it. Only for Sahara Reporters to say, ‘Oh yes, the money was returned, then cash was withdrawn again and paid into the IGP son’s account.’ I saw the statement of account, and there was nothing like that.”

The police have taken legal steps in response to what they describe as defamatory claims against the IGP, his family, and other officers, with the courts granting injunctions to restrain further publication of certain allegations pending substantive hearings.