Why I rejected ₦150M bribe — Police officer reveals

Superintendent of Police, Ibrahim Sini, has said he turned down a N150m bribe allegedly offered to him by a Lagos-based businessman, Akintoye Akindele to have peace of mind.

Akindele, who was arraigned for the offence at the Federal High Court in Abuja in August 2023, was remanded in the Kuje correctional centre.

According to the charge sheet, the bribe was offered to allow police to permit him to escape abroad and to write a favourable report for him after the investigation.

Sini was said to have led the Inspector General of Police’s team of investigators handling the case against the businessman.

Speaking at a dinner organised to honour him on Friday in Abuja, Sini said, “I am very happy to be here, and I want to appreciate the organisers of this programme. They have beat my imagination, and they have added more grease to my elbow. Yes, I remember when the incident happened. The person in question asked me, ‘Do you want to be rich?’ He said, ‘This is an opportunity for you to be rich’

“So what I said was that it depends on the kind of riches. I would like to have money so that I can lay my head down and sleep at night. I don’t want to have something that will make me think twice and be running from one hole to another. So I would like to do justice and have peace of mind.

“So, I decided to do the right thing so that I can have peace of mind and also stand to do what is right for myself, for my organisation, that is, the Nigeria Police and also for the country at large.”

He advised youths in the country not to trade their integrity for anything.

Sini added, “To the youth out there, I just want to tell them that integrity counts, that it’s good to be up and doing, that it’s possible to be in the midst of a lot of challenges and still stand to be different. Nigeria is our country, and Nigeria shall be great.”

At the event, Sini was given a plot of land in Abuja.

Presenting the document of the land to Sini, the Federal Capital Territory Commissioner of Police, Benneth Igweh, said SP Sini’s conduct has brought pride to the Nigerian Police Force.

“We are proud of you, I want to let you know that your conduct has brought pride to the Nigeria Police Force. We urge other members of the force to emulate SP Sini,” Igweh said while presenting Sini with the documents of the land.

Also, the organisers of the event, the Chief Executive Officer of Vegas Homes, Chukwuemeka Okoye, said Sini’s conduct remains exemplary and should inspire others and Nigerians to note that the Nigerian Police Force has men of integrity and good conduct.

He said, “SP Sini’s actions have not only brought honour to himself and the Nigeria Police Force but have also inspired countless others to stand firm against corruption and uphold the highest ethical standards. His integrity serves as a beacon of hope, demonstrating that even in challenging circumstances, it is possible to remain true to one’s values.

“This honour is aimed at not only appreciating the laudable conduct of Superintendent Ibrahim Sini but to demonstrating that society appreciates individuals of integrity and good conduct.

“We want to also show that the Nigerian Police Force have officers that are professional, above board and with the right incentive to engage in meaningful policing and be worthy examples”.