REVEALED: Why I Rejected $17,000 Bribe From Fraudsters – Nigerian Police Officer

Just like the saying that Integrity is the standard of being trustworthy and having robust ethical rules. It means persistently appearing in accordance with these rules, even when it’s troublesome or nobody is watching.

The above described Sentome Obi, a Superintendent of Police (SP) connected to the Bayelsa State Police Command for being being reliable, and sustaining a robust ethical character throughout his official obligation as Nigerian police officer.

Obi, a Bayelsa native and Head of the Monetary and Cybercrime Unit at Zone 16 Command, Yenagoa. was not too long ago honored for the honourable act of rejecting a $17,000 bribe to derail a delicate investigation.

SP Sentome Obi who was additionally recipient of the Police Officer of the 12 months 2024 and IGP Integrity Award was honoured at a high-level state banquet organised by the Bayelsa State Authorities.

He spoke with The Nation’s OKUNGBOWA AIWERIE

What knowledgeable your resolution to reject a 17,000 {dollars} bribe?
Nicely, integrity counts. $17,000 is definitely an enormous sum of money. However we’re working for the society; our salaries are from tax payers and we should justify it. So, integrity counts on this case. These had been the info that necessitated my rejection of the $17000 bribe.

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Are you able to recount what occurred and the way you ended up rejecting it?
It was a case primarily based on unbelievable intelligence of suspects who specialize in organ harvesting, rituals and different fraudulent actions. Based mostly on credible intelligence, it was acted upon and the suspects had been arrested and several other objects had been recovered. Which works to verify that the intelligence was credible.

The suspects now determined to bribe their manner out in order that it might not come to public information. However primarily based on the coaching and the integrity we have now been mentored and tutored to uphold, we rejected that provide they usually had been delivered to guide.

The suspects had been paraded someday final yr; round seventh of December, 2024. They had been later charged to court docket.

Do you remorse refusing the bribe, figuring out that $17,000 is some huge cash?
By no means. Remorse just isn’t even to be talked about on this case. $17,000 is a big quantity; that’s tens of millions of naira. I’ve by no means seen that kind of cash in all my life. However you’ll recall that it’s a regimented group. The integrity of the organisation is at stake.

Now, ordinarily, some individuals will need to have felt like why didn’t we accumulate the cash and simply enrich ourselves? However what comes forward is best than what they’re considering. And in the present day, as you may see, the governor has rewarded me with a three-bedroom bungalow and a model new automotive.
So, integrity actually pays. You’ll agree with me that many individuals have destructive notion of the police. However that is going to let you know that we nonetheless have the great ones. And to make it clear to all people within the society, in each organisation we have now the dangerous eggs.

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So, the police is a mirrored image of the society. The authorities carry on educating, sensitising and telling us. We additionally produce other seasoned law enforcement officials who’ve integrity.

How did your loved ones react to the information that you just rejected the bribe? Have been they joyful or unhappy that you just missed a chance to grow to be a millionaire?
It was blended emotions. Some had been joyful and others weren’t. However in the long run all are actually joyful primarily based on the reward from the state authorities and recognition by numerous our bodies.

The Nigeria Police Drive has a destructive picture within the eyes of many Nigerians. Do you assume rejecting the cash will assist in projecting a optimistic picture of the police?
Very nicely. It has gone an extended technique to inform people who we nonetheless have good law enforcement officials and we are attempting our greatest to depart as much as expectations.

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What’s your recommendation to fellow officers?
Nicely, they need to depart as much as expectations. It isn’t simply concerning the cash; integrity counts: who you’re, the household that you’re coming from, the organisation that you’re representing. So, why not do your finest? Do the work as it’s, neglect about bribe, neglect about intimidating, neglect about turning white to black. The reward really pays off simply as you’ve seen.

If in case you have this chance once more, will you reject or settle for it?
I’ll carry on rejecting and maybe extra bed room flats and extra automobiles will come as rewards.

Has the police authorities taken cognizance of what you’ve achieved?
Very nicely. I truth, it would curiosity you to know that I gained the very best police officer of the yr 2024. The IGP awarded me that, and the President, who was represented by the Senate President, was there to present me the award.

I’m additionally the IGP award winner of the integrity police officer of the yr. These present that the police hierarchy took cognizance of each effort made by policemen.