By: Felix Ikpotor
The Rivers State Police Command says it has apprehended one Joel Mba Okodi, a wanted suspect on the list of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for the past four years.
Police Public Relations Officer, Rivers State Command, SP. Grace Iringe-Koko who made the disclosure in a statement said the suspect, Joel Mba Okodi, commonly known as ‘Chief,’ was residing at No. 21, Abak Road, Ikot-Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria and listed as a Director at Chismo Resources Limited in Ikot-Ekpene.
According to the statement, he deceitfully obtained the sum of ₦50 million from one Chief Okosisi and was subsequently arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, following the reporting of the case.
Iringe-Koko said while the case was still under investigation, Okodi persuaded his friend, Mr. Ochulor Okeokwu, to act as a surety in the matter to secure his release, stressing that Mr. Okeokwu, unaware of the deceit, submitted his property documents, valued at ₦50 million, as collateral at the EFCC Office in Port Harcourt.
The statement added that the suspect failed to appear for investigations at the EFCC office after his release and evaded all phone calls while on the rare occasions when he was reached, he resorted to violent threats against Mr. Okeokwu, warning him to cease all contact.
In response, Mr. Okeokwu lodged a petition with the Inspector General of Police, who subsequently mandated the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, CP Olatunji Rilwan Disu to handle.
In response to the directive, the statement said CP Disu instructed the operatives of Operation Sting to ensure the swift apprehension of the suspect.
The statement further said officers of the Command conducted a comprehensive investigation and mobilized to Ajegunle, Lagos State on January 18, 2024, to arrest the suspect where he had gone to hide.
She said the case is currently being handled by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
The statement said the Commissioner of Police for Rivers State, Olatunji Disu, advises individuals to exercise caution when acting as sureties while warning that criminals would find no sanctuary for operation within the state.
