An Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG Abduyari Lafia, has petitioned the United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, accusing the Inspector General of Police, IGP, Kayode Egbetokun, of shielding an Indian national, Kumar Gurav, alleged to have raped an American citizen in Benue State.
In the petition dated August 1 and titled “How IGP Kayode Egbetokun shielded a suspect in a case of rape against an American citizen,” Mr Lafia alleged that the case, which was earlier established against Mr Gurav, was abruptly withdrawn from court on the orders of the IGP.
According to him, the matter was first reported in April 2023 to the then IGP, Usman Baba Alkali, after Ms Malory Henry, a U.S. citizen on assignment in Makurdi, accused her colleague, Mr Gurav—an Assistant Manager with Olam Rice Nigeria—of drugging and raping her at his residence on March 30, 2023.
“The facts of this case are that the victim alleged that her colleague, Mr. Kumar Gurav, lured her to his home in Makurdi, Benue State, on 30th March, 2023, for dinner while she was on official assignment from Abuja, where he drugged and brutally raped her, including forceful anal penetration without her consent, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable by Section 284 of the Penal Code Law, a crime that not only violates the dignity and safety of the victim but also poses a serious threat to societal values, law and order,” he said.
Mr Lafia said medical examination confirmed the assault, leading to the suspect’s arrest and arraignment on May 12, 2023, at the Benue High Court (Suit No: MHC/42C/2023).
He added that the suspect, confronted with overwhelming evidence, attempted to bribe investigators with N100 million, an offer he rejected outright.
However, upon assuming office, Mr Egbetokun allegedly directed that the case be withdrawn, “for further investigation.”
On July 26, 2024, prosecutors informed the court of the IGP’s directive, leading to the eventual discharge and acquittal of the defendant without entering a defence.
“The prosecutor, ASP Edwin Ochayi, who diligently handled the case, was transferred to Niger State as punishment, while my promotion was blocked to silence me,” Mr Lafia stated in the petition.
He alleged that instead of being commended for rejecting the bribe and pursuing justice, he and the prosecutor were victimised.
Mr Lafia further questioned what might have transpired between the IGP and the suspect after the bribe offer, insisting the decision had left the victim disillusioned and forced her to petition the Benue State Attorney-General for the case to be reopened.
“I am constrained to write this petition and draw your attention to this ignoble injustice meted out to your citizen [Miss Malory Henry] and the impunity with which it was carried out by IGP Kayode Egbetokun, who operates above the law,” Mr Lafia wrote.
He added that his conscience and oath of office compelled him to act in defence of the law and the victim, saying, “I promised Miss Malory Henry that she would get justice, and I will do everything humanly possible within the law to expose this abuse.”
When contacted, Mr Lafia confirmed he signed and submitted the petition to the U.S. Embassy. “Yes, I signed the petition,” he told DAILY NIGERIAN.
Our correspondent, however, gathered that Mr Lafia is currently under suspension over an alleged age falsification.
But he has dragged Mr Egbetokun to court to challenge his suspension.
Meanwhile, efforts to get a response from the force headquarters were unsuccessful as the force spokesman, Benjamin Hundeyin, did not respond to our reporter’s inquiries.
-DAILY NIGERIAN
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