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Police Turned Complainant Into Accused in Rivers Court Because of Money

Published

3 years ago

September 23, 2022

Walter’s car

Tima Walter, a Bolt driver in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has narrated how the police in Choba Area Police Command made him an accused by upturning an issue he reported to them to avoid compensating him.

Walter told FIJ that the police falsely accused him of overspeeding and charged him to court when he is, in fact, the victim of an accident caused by a careless herdsman.

He said he was driving to Rumuosi on September 8 when a herd of cows ran into his speeding vehicle and damaged it. According to Walter, he was in his lane at about 1 am that morning, when over a hundred cows came in his direction and crashed into his car.

He said that immediately after the collision, he stepped out to see if the cows had a herder so he could get a hold of him to discuss how to fix his car.

“When the herdsman saw me looking for him, he blew his whistle and the cows took a different turn with him running in the bush behind. I only wanted him to fix my car, because I was in my lane,” Walter told FIJ.

Walter said he went to the Choba Area Police Command to report the issue but officers refused to follow him to the scene until an elderly man pleaded with them on his behalf.

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When the police arrived at the scene, they saw a dead cow lying down, he said. The police then told him to return at the break of dawn for a follow-up on the issue.

“At dawn, the police contacted someone and sold the cow for N200,000. My car is partly damaged, so I expected the police to give me part of the money to repair it since the herdsman ran away, but they did not,” he said.

“When I went to the station, the Inspecting Police Officer (IPO) told me the police had found out where the herd was, but they neither took me there nor tried to arrest the herdsman. They were just after the money from the cow they sold.”

Walter said that he demanded the money to repair his car but the IPO said the buyer made only a partial payment. He said he went to the police station several times after he first reported the case but no one took him seriously.

“Sometimes, I would go to the station despite calling them before leaving my house, but on getting there, they would be unavailable. Other times, I had to wait till they returned, and when they did, the Divisional Traffic Officer (DTO) would ask me to get a court order,” he said.

The Bolt driver said the first time he and the police officers went to the court, the officers told the magistrate a cow had died after the incident and they wanted a court order to bury it.

The magistrate asked the officers to bury the cow as there was no case and especially because the herdsman had not come to claim it.

Walter said the police reported what the magistrate said at their station, but the DTO requested a written document to the effect.

“When the police went back to the court, the IPO told the magistrate the truth that they sold the cow for N200,000,” he said.

Walter said that he went to Choba Magistrate Court on Tuesday on Choba Police DTO’s request, only to realise that the police had pressed some charges against him.

“When I got to the court, I realised I had become the accused. The police had put up some charges against me. They claimed I was driving recklessly,” he said.

“The magistrate was laughing when he was reading the charges. He even had to cancel out some allegations because he was aware of the situation.”

Walter said the IPO told the magistrate that the boys in the community sold the cow and he only collected the money from them.

“The truth is the police sold the cow. One officer called someone to buy it. The buyer paid N110,000 and promised to pay N90,000 later. I even heard the officers threaten to deal with and arrest the buyer if he failed to pay,” Walter said.

He said the magistrate granted him bail and his brother paid while someone stood as a surety for him.

“My headlights are bad, the windscreen is broken, and the bumper now needs repair. The car is my only source of income,” Walter said.

When FIJ called the DTO, he asked this reporter to visit their police station and ask the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) further questions.

“Reach out to my DPO if you want to know the aftermath of the matter,” he said.

FIJ also contacted Grace Irine-Koko, the Rivers State Police spokesperson, but she said the matter had gone to court and was no more with the police.

Related Topics:Complainant money police Rivers Court

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Christian Cleric Builds Mosque in Honour of Tinubu’s Mother

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Christian Cleric Builds Mosque in Honour of Tinubu’s Mother

In a development that has sparked widespread conversation across Nigeria’s religious and political space, Primate Elijah Ayodele has built and commissioned a new mosque in Lagos in honour of Chief Abibatu Mogaji, the late mother of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The prominent cleric, who leads the INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, unveiled the mosque during his annual thanksgiving programme held in Oke-Afa, Isolo, describing the project as a fulfillment of what he called a divine instruction.

According to Ayodele, the decision to construct the mosque was not politically motivated but rooted in spiritual obedience. He stressed that the gesture was not aimed at gaining favour from the presidency or securing political influence, but rather to promote religious harmony and unity in Nigeria. “I built the mosque because God directed me to do so,” the cleric reportedly said at the commissioning ceremony.

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Ayodele explained that the newly completed mosque would be fully handed over to Muslim leaders and the local Islamic community for administration. He stated that neither he nor his church would be involved in its management, reinforcing his claim that the project was purely an act of faith and interreligious goodwill. Originally, the mosque was said to have been planned under a different name, but Ayodele disclosed that he later renamed it in honour of Tinubu’s mother following what he described as further divine direction. Chief Abibatu Mogaji, a respected community leader during her lifetime, remains a significant figure in Lagos political history due to her influence and grassroots mobilisation efforts.

The commissioning event drew attendance from religious leaders, traditional rulers, and political representatives, reflecting the broader significance of the gesture. Observers described the commissioning as a rare example of Christian–Muslim interfaith collaboration, particularly in a country where religious identity often intersects with politics. Supporters say the act underscores the importance of peaceful coexistence and tolerance between faiths, while critics have questioned the timing and broader implications of the move within Nigeria’s political climate.

Nonetheless, Ayodele maintained that the mosque stands as a symbol of unity and obedience to divine guidance, rather than a calculated political gesture. The development has since generated conversations online, with many Nigerians debating its spiritual, social and political dimensions.

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Bandits Abduct Wives, Daughters of JIBWIS Chief Imam, Others in Bauchi

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February 15, 2026

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Bandits Abduct Wives, Daughters of JIBWIS Chief Imam, Others in Bauchi

Suspected bandits have abducted the wives and daughters of the Chief Imam of Jama’atu Izalatil Bid’ah Wa Ikamatis Sunnah (JIBWIS) in Digare, Abubakar Muhammad Digare, during a late-night attack in Bauchi State, escalating concerns over rising insecurity in Northern Nigeria.

The attack reportedly occurred on Saturday night in Digare town, Alkaleri Local Government Area, where gunmen stormed the cleric’s residence and forcibly whisked away several women, including his wives and daughters, alongside other residents.

Eyewitnesses said the assailants invaded the community under the cover of darkness, firing sporadically to scare residents before targeting the imam’s home. Villagers fled into nearby bushes while others locked themselves indoors as the attackers operated unchallenged for several minutes. The abducted victims were taken to an undisclosed location, and as of the time of filing this report, the exact number of those kidnapped has not been officially confirmed.

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Residents described the incident as one of the most brazen attacks in recent months, noting that targeting the family of a respected religious leader such as Abubakar Muhammad Digare has deepened fear within the community. Local sources said the attack has triggered panic across surrounding villages in Alkaleri LGA, with many residents calling for increased security presence to prevent further raids.

The Bauchi State Police Command has yet to release a detailed statement on the incident. However, community leaders are urging security agencies to intensify search-and-rescue efforts and strengthen patrol operations in vulnerable rural communities. Security analysts warn that repeated bandit attacks in Bauchi and neighbouring states highlight persistent gaps in intelligence gathering and rapid response coordination, stressing that kidnapping for ransom remains a major driver of armed violence in parts of northern Nigeria.

The latest abduction adds to a growing list of kidnapping incidents in Northern Nigeria, where armed groups frequently target rural settlements, religious leaders, women and children. Observers say the targeting of high-profile community figures could further destabilise affected areas if urgent measures are not implemented to restore confidence and deter future attacks. Authorities are expected to provide further updates as investigations continue.

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MACBAN Rejects Terrorism Allegations, Warns Against Stigmatisation

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February 15, 2026

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The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has firmly rejected allegations linking the association to terrorism, banditry, and mass violence, describing such claims as unfounded, misleading, and damaging to its reputation and the livelihoods of millions of pastoralists across Nigeria.

The National President of MACBAN, Baba Othman Ngelzarma, stated this on Sunday while addressing journalists in reaction to ongoing discussions surrounding a proposed United States legislation, H.R. 7457, currently before the United States Congress.

Ngelzarma said while MACBAN respects the sovereign right of the United States to debate issues relating to religious freedom and human rights, the association is deeply concerned about narratives that allegedly portray it as a violent or extremist organisation. He warned that such portrayals risk misinforming international policymakers and undermining peace-building efforts within Nigeria.

He stressed that MACBAN is a legally registered association, established in 1986 under Nigerian law, and has operated openly for decades with elected leadership structures at national, state, and local levels. According to him, the association is formally recognised by federal and state governments as a critical stakeholder in livestock development, pastoral welfare, and farmer–herder conflict mediation.

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The association cautioned that any attempt to blacklist, stigmatise, or criminalise legitimate organisations could lead to serious consequences, including economic losses, disruption of livestock trade, and further marginalisation of pastoral communities, which play a vital role in Nigeria’s food security and rural economy.

Reiterating its mandate, MACBAN said its activities are focused on improving pastoral welfare, promoting modern and sustainable livestock practices, fostering peaceful coexistence with host communities, and supporting security agencies through dialogue and early-warning mechanisms aimed at preventing conflict.

Ngelzarma emphasised that MACBAN has never supported banditry, terrorism, kidnapping, or cattle rustling, noting that no court in Nigeria or abroad has ever indicted the association for involvement in terrorist activities. He argued that it is unjust and legally flawed to attribute the criminal actions of individuals to a registered national organisation.

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The group called on the Senate Committees on Foreign Affairs and National Security to adopt a formal resolution clarifying Nigeria’s legislative position on what it described as misleading international narratives. It also urged the National Assembly to engage U.S. lawmakers through parliamentary diplomacy to ensure accurate representation of Nigeria’s internal dynamics.

MACBAN further appealed to the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Office of the National Security Adviser to initiate diplomatic engagement with American authorities, with a view to presenting documented evidence of its lawful status and compliance with Nigerian laws.

While cautioning against generalised profiling of communities, the association urged both local and international media to avoid sensational reporting that could inflame tensions and deepen mistrust between communities.

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