Since October 2023, Imo State-based Oluchi Nnadi has endured a turbulent relationship with the police, whom she accuses of stealing her earnings worth over N15 million.

Acting on a petition submitted by Sudha Nigeria Limited against Nnadi, the police arrested the 28-year-old and kept her in detention for two weeks. The company accused Nnadi, their staff at the time, of embezzling N900,000.

She denied the allegations and the police let her go, but while she was in the custody of the State Criminal Investigation Department, the police withdrew N10,055,000 million in cash from her Zenith Bank account, transferred N1,708,000 to a PoS merchant, took N325,020 from her UBA account, and made her forfeit two investments worth N2 million each.

Recounting the ordeal to FIJ on Friday, Stephen Chekwube, Nnadi’s cousin, said “They took her to the bank to withdraw the funds and she refused to sign. The officers had to come back the next day and take a token from the bank and withdraw the money by themselves. The amount here they took was N11,753,000.

READ ALSO: Abiodun Kayode, James Emmanuel, Oni Philip… Police Identify Officers Who Killed Kwara Student

“There were five policemen involved in the operation. One of them was Kelvin Okoye, another one bears the name ‘Nkechi’. They took the money and told her not to report to anyone or file any complaint.

“Nnadi was investing in a tricycle business. She bought them and gave them out on a hire-purchase arrangement. Each one was to fetch N2 million. The police made her close the accounts and they took the profits.

“While she was in custody, the police denied her access to her family or lawyers.”

In November, Nnadi filed a suit against the police, Sudha and the PoS merchant at the High Court of Imo State, but she and her cousin believes the police are delaying the court process.

FIJ called Nkechi on Friday, but she said she had left the SCID. FIJ also called Henry Okoye, spokesman for the State’s Police Command, and he asked to see the complainant so he could investigate the matter.

Ojukwu is a reporter with FIJ in partnership with Report for the World, which matches local newsrooms with talented emerging journalists to report on under-covered issues around the globe.