In a startling revelation, Mr. Matthew Oboroh, a commercial driver from Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State, discovered that his stolen Volkswagen Jetta had been converted into a police patrol vehicle by officers of the Ekpan Police Station. The vehicle, stolen in 2015 while Oboroh attended a church service along Jakpa Road in Effurun, was found in active use by the same police division where he had reported the theft.
Oboroh recounted that upon noticing his car being used for patrol with “Operation Ekpan Area” inscribed on its sides, he approached the officers, who directed him to the station. There, he was informed that the vehicle had been recovered in 2016. However, the police demanded ₦150,000 for its release, citing maintenance expenses. Refusing to comply, Oboroh sought legal redress.
In 2018, Justice Oke Okevowhen of the Warri High Court ruled in Oboroh’s favor, declaring the police’s actions as an infringement on his fundamental rights. The court ordered the Nigeria Police Force to pay ₦10 million in damages. Despite this judgment, reports from 2021 indicate that the police had yet to comply with the court’s order, prompting Oboroh to appeal to the public for assistance in enforcing the ruling.
This case underscores ongoing concerns about accountability within the Nigerian Police Force, particularly regarding the misappropriation of recovered stolen property. It highlights the challenges citizens face in seeking justice and the importance of systemic reforms to uphold the rule of law.
