Dollar demanding cop to be sanctioned by Police authorities

A police officer caught on video demanding dollars as bribe from a Nigerian-American and two other Nigerians for alleged traffic offences in Lagos is currently facing orderly room trial.

Corporal Aniyem Chiyem, whose video was secretly obtained by one of the passengers in the vehicle in a three-minute, 45 seconds footage and posted on YouTube, was arrested on Monday on the order of the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubarkar.

According to a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Frank Mba, in Abuja on Monday, Chiyem with Force No. 374171, was attached to Isheri Division, Lagos State Police Command.

“His arrest was sequel to a matching order issued by the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar to the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, Umar Manko, to ensure prompt arrest and investigation of the matter.

“Following his arrest, the suspect who is now in police custody, is undergoing orderly room trials and if found guilty, will face appropriate disciplinary actions,” the statement said.

In the footage, a passenger was heard explaining to the policeman that one of them was actually celebrating his birthday and that they were hurrying up to catch up with a friend.

The incident, according to the description given on YouTube, was said to have happened in the Egbeda area of Lagos.

“Arrange dollars. Give us dollars,” the policeman, who was holding an AK-47 rifle, demanded from one of the passengers.

The cop, who sat at the rear seat of the car, subsequently ordered the passenger back into the vehicle with a view to kick-starting the negotiation.

“I don’t have dollars, we only have naira,” the passenger who spoke with what can be described as an American accent, said, adding that he was only in the country on vacation.

One of the passengers, on noticing the policeman’s resolve to take bribe, offered him N700 which Chiyem rejected.

“This is N700. What is the value of N700? I need dollars. Let us go and change it (naira to dollars). Bring better thing. That one is not money, I don tell you finish o,” he said.

Meanwhile, the IG, who commended the unknown whistleblower in the case for his painstaking efforts in exposing what would have been a hidden crime, also enjoined other members of the public to emulate the gesture.

“This noble and patriotic action will certainly go a long way in checkmating crime in our society,” the IG noted.