In a shocking development, the Police Service Commission (PSC) has reportedly dropped the name of Enugu State Commissioner of Police, Kanayo Uzuegbu, from the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) promotion list over multiple corruption allegations. This decision follows an extensive investigation exposing Uzuegbu’s alleged involvement in a high-profile extortion scheme, SaharaReporters has learned.
Sources revealed that the tipping point for the PSC was a disturbing case involving a businessman from Abia State, Olu Agwu, who was allegedly abducted, detained for three days, and coerced into paying a staggering ₦62 million to regain his freedom. Reports indicate that the payment was funneled through multiple accounts controlled by senior police officers to obscure traces of the illicit transaction.
A source disclosed to SaharaReporters:
“Following the investigative report that implicated CP Kanayo Uzuegbu in the ₦62 million extortion at the Enugu State Command Anti-Kidnapping Squad Unit, the PSC has finally dropped his name from the AIG promotion list.”
The corruption allegations against Uzuegbu are not isolated incidents. According to insiders, numerous petitions have been filed against him, accusing him of systematic extortion and fabricating charges against innocent individuals.
“There are several complaints against him regarding corruption and extortion in Enugu State. Many of these cases involve trumped-up charges against victims, forcing them to part with huge sums of money,” the source added.
While it was initially believed that the allegations were politically motivated or personal attacks, the gravity of the ₦62 million extortion case made it impossible for the commission to ignore.
Despite the damning allegations, the Enugu State Police Command denied any wrongdoing. In a statement signed by its spokesperson, SP Daniel Ndukwe, the command dismissed the claims as baseless. However, SaharaReporters has continued to unveil more evidence linking CP Uzuegbu directly to the scandal.
Legal heavyweight Prof. Mike Ozekhome, who represents victim Olu Agwu, submitted a formal petition dated February 14 to the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, urging swift intervention. He also demanded a full refund of the ₦62 million extorted from his client and warned of impending legal action should the authorities fail to act.
Ozekhome’s petition described the ordeal as:
“Reprehensible, unlawful, illegal, wrongful, unconstitutional, and an affront to decency, morality, and professionalism.”
PSC’s Official Response
When contacted for confirmation, the spokesman of the Police Service Commission, Mr. Ikechukwu Ani, admitted that Uzuegbu’s name was indeed removed from the AIG promotion list. However, he stopped short of officially attributing the decision to the corruption allegations.
“I am aware that the name of CP Kanayo Uzuegbu was dropped from the AIG promotion list. However, I do not know the specific reason for this decision,” Ani stated.
The revelations have sparked public outrage, with many calling for Uzuegbu’s immediate suspension and prosecution rather than just a stalled promotion. Civil society groups, human rights activists, and legal experts insist that merely halting his career advancement is not enough—they demand a full-fledged criminal investigation and accountability for his alleged crimes.
As the controversy deepens, all eyes are now on the Inspector General of Police and the Nigerian government to see whether they will take decisive action or allow yet another high-profile corruption case to be swept under the rug.
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