The Nigeria Police Force has defended the ongoing investigations of a Cameroonian businessman, Mr. Langwa Brezhnev by the Force Criminal Investigations Department (CID) Alagbon, Lagos, saying it is in line with Police Investigative Procedure.
In a release on Monday by the Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, following a press statement by an activist lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, the lead Counsel to Langwa Brezhnev, alleging that the suspect was illegally arrested and being unlawfully detained, the dismissed the allegations as false and malicious.
Clarifying, Adejobi explained that the suspect is presently in Ikoyi Correctional Centre based on a remand order issued by the Igbosere Magistrate Court 21, Lagos, adding that investigations by the Police had also clearly established a prima facie case against the suspect in respect of fraudulent transactions in the country.
Adejobi stated, “The Nigeria Police Force wishes to state categorically that the ongoing investigations of one Langwa Brezhnev, a Cameroonian businessman in Nigeria, by the Force Criminal Investigations Department (CID), Lagos Annex, Alagbon, Ikoyi-Lagos, is in line with Police Investigative Procedure. This affirmation is on the heels of a press statement issued by one Inibehe Effiong ESQ, lead Counsel to Langwa Brezhnev, alleging illegal arrest and unlawful detention of the suspect.
To set the record straight, the Force CID, Lagos Annex, in May, 2023, received a petition titled, “COMPLAINT AGAINST MR LANGWA BREZHNEV OVER THE OBTAINMENT OF GOODS BY FALSE PRETENCE AND FRAUD IN RESPECT OF SALE OF FERTILIZER” from one Siri Legal Consulting, solicitors to EMB TRADE LOGISTICS NIG LTD. The suspect, who has been off the radar, following the fraudulent transactions as alleged, was arrested in Uyo and brought to Lagos to enable him answer to the allegations against him. Investigations so far by the Police team have however, clearly established a prima facie case against the suspect.
Meanwhile, the report from the Force CID Annex shows that the suspect is currently on remand at Ikoyi Correctional Centre following a Remand Order issued by Igbosere Magistrate Court 21, Lagos. It is also noted that the same court had earlier granted a Remand Order committing the suspect to Police custody to avail the Police with additional time for a discrete investigation into the matter.
Similarly, the claim by Barrister Inibehe that DIG Frank Mba is a brother to the nominal complainant, one Hilary Emaka Mba, which is the basis for his allegation of undue influence against the senior officer, is false and unfounded. The fact remains that Hilary Emeka Mba is not in any way connected or related to DIG Frank Emeka Mba. They have no filial relationship whatsoever. The resemblance in name is purely a coincidence of names.
Without mincing words, the allegation against DIG Frank Mba, who was not even the AIG in charge of FCID Annex Alagbon when the suspect was arrested, is just a psychological projection and a campaign of calumny.
The Force therefore enjoins members of the public to disregard the claim of illegal arrest and unlawful detention of Mr Langwa by the Police, as well as allegation of undue influence by DIG Frank Mba or any officer of the Police as untrue and unfounded. The Force equally wishes to advise Barrister Inibehe to direct his efforts to the court of law where the case is already being heard, rather than maliciously using the media to defame the hard-earned professional reputation of Senior Police officers and obstructing the course of Justice.”
