A young music producer Nathan Akhimie, has been detained at the Lagos State Criminal Investigation Department in Panti, Yaba, since Friday, August 16, 2024, despite allegedly committing no offense.
His family is struggling to meet the N1 million bail demand set by police operatives led by Superintendent Samuel Akhigbe.
The incident began when Akhimie visited his client, John Davidson (aka Zhus), at his apartment with a young woman, Aminat Nancy Alabi.
Unbeknownst to Akhimie, the woman allegedly stole Davidson’s mobile phone. After discovering the missing phone, Davidson demanded that Akhimie produce it, but Akhimie was unable to locate the woman as she was merely an acquaintance.
Akhimie and his boss, Mr. Kelly, reported the incident to the Ikota Police Station in Lekki, and the police were working to trace and apprehend the young woman.
However, Davidson also reported the incident to the State Criminal Investigation Department through his PA/Manager, Festus Idonuan Aigbologa, aka Briga, whose brother works there.
Using the information provided by Akhimie, the police eventually arrested the young woman, and further investigation revealed that the stolen phone had changed hands twice. Despite Akhimie’s apparent lack of involvement in the theft, he was arrested and detained.
Mr. Kelly, Akhimie’s boss, claims that the police are demanding N1 million for Akhimie’s release on bail, despite the fact that he has committed no crime. Kelly has tried to negotiate the bail amount, offering N100,000 and then N500,000, but the police insist on the full N1 million.
The case has raised concerns about police extortion and the abuse of power.
Superintendent Benjamin Hundeyin, the Command’s spokesman, has promised to look into the matter and provide an update. However, at the time of filing this report, Hundeyin had not yet provided an update or returned inquiries.
