A shocking web of deceit, corruption, and romance has unraveled within Nigeria’s law enforcement, exposing how a senior police officer investigating a notorious international fraudster became her lover and accomplice in a high-profile escape.
Sahara Reporters has uncovered that Victor Okeshola, an officer attached to the National Cybercrime Centre (NCC), not only investigated Zimbabwean national Precious Chiradza—who allegedly defrauded Nigerians of over N1 billion—but also facilitated her escape after falling in love with her.
Chiradza, along with her accomplices from South Africa, was standing trial before a Federal High Court in Abuja on seven counts of fraud and conspiracy related to a fake investment scheme known as QZ Assets Management. However, instead of ensuring justice, Okeshola allegedly used his position to manipulate the system, smuggling her out of the country in exchange for a hefty bribe.
According to sources, Okeshola and other corrupt police officers received millions of naira to facilitate her escape. Further investigations revealed an even more scandalous twist—Chiradza, also known as Pria, is reportedly pregnant with Okeshola’s child and is seeking to divorce her Nigerian husband, who resides in South Africa.
HOW THE SCANDAL UNFOLDED
Court documents revealed that Okeshola, in collaboration with police prosecutors, procured fake sureties to secure Chiradza’s bail after she was remanded in prison custody by Justice James Kolawole Omotosho in case number FHC/ABJ/CR/430/2023.
Among those charged alongside her are:
Gugu Manana
Sicelokuhle Nyath
Samuel Atebefia
Chidinma Clement
Prof. Blake Yeung (at large)
Mark Tsu (at large)
Absolom Kimathi Musa (at large)
Fidelis Awusa (at large)
Ashley (at large)
Blessing Ikwuagwu a.k.a Madam Cash (at large)
While in NCC custody, Okeshola reportedly arranged for Chiradza and her co-defendants to spend their nights in a police station cell instead of proper detention. However, each evening, Chiradza would fake a health crisis, prompting Okeshola to claim he was taking her to the hospital. Instead, the two spent the nights in hotels together.
Sources further disclosed that Chiradza paid thousands of dollars to senior police officers handling the case to destroy evidence and clear her and her associates of wrongdoing. In one instance, she offered N5 million in bribes to NCC officials not to document her fraudulent transactions.
A letter obtained by Sahara Reporters addressed to the Director/Head, Nigeria Police Force – National Cybercrime Centre (NPF-NCCC) exposed this compromise. Written by F.I. Ochi, Esq., the petition detailed how the prosecution secretly sought to withdraw the charges against Chiradza and her co-defendants—an attempt that was later rejected by the court.
The petition read:
“Our client has lost confidence in the investigation and prosecution team. It has come to light that the Investigating Officer, Victor Okeshola, engaged in an emotional and romantic affair with the first suspect, Precious Chiradza, to the extent of traveling publicly with her outside Nigeria, thereby aiding and abetting her escape.”
Despite overwhelming video and pictorial evidence of the compromised officers engaging with Chiradza outside Nigeria, the Director of NCC failed to act, allegedly due to pressure from top police officers involved in the scandal.
Further findings indicate that after Justice Omotosho rejected the attempt to withdraw the case, Okeshola and his associates bribed officials at the Ministry of Justice with N50 million to take over and terminate the case for “lack of substantial evidence.”
The primary complainant, Chinagorom Uchechi, confirmed that police misconduct had been an issue since the beginning of the case. She recalled seeing Chiradza freely using her phone during detention, a direct violation of investigative protocols.
“They told us they were conducting a forensic examination of the suspects’ gadgets, claiming they wouldn’t have access to their devices. But one day, I walked into Officer Bello’s office and saw Chiradza making a phone call. I immediately knew something was wrong.”
This scandal raises serious concerns about the integrity of Nigeria’s law enforcement agencies and their ability to prosecute high-profile criminals without succumbing to corruption and personal interests.
As the case continues, all eyes are on the judiciary and anti-corruption agencies to see whether they will hold the compromised officers accountable or allow them to walk free, setting a dangerous precedent for future financial crimes in Nigeria.
PIONEER NEWS 