Ibrahim Sini, a Superintendent of Police, was reportedly offered what many would term as a once-in-a-lifetime-opportunity by a criminal suspect. Sini was allegedly offered a N150m bribe by a Lagos-based businessman, Akintoye Akindele, to let him flee the country.
But Sini would not have any of it. Rather, he opted for what he called peace of mind, despited meager monthly pay of less than N200,000.
The suspect, Akindele, who offered the bribe, was arraigned for the offence at the Federal High Court in Abuja in August 2023, was remanded in the Kuje correctional centre.
According to the charge sheet, Akindele offered the bribe to the police officer to allow him to escape abroad and to write a favourable report for him after the investigation.
Akindele was said to have been arrested in respect of a petition submitted to the Police Chief by Summit Oil International Limited and was alleged to have swindled the firm of $5,636,397 and another N73,543,764.
Sini was the Inspector General of Police’s team of investigators handling the petition against the businessman.
Akindele, according to the charge, was said to have immediately dropped the sum of N50 million as part payment of the alleged bribe to SP Sini’s team.
For his good deeds, a dinner was organised in Abuja to honour Sini. Speaking, FCT Police Commissioner, CP Benneth Igweh, who presented the award of a plot of land on behalf of friends and associates of the police officer, said SP Sini’s conduct has brought pride to the Nigerian Police Force (NPF).
Also, one of the organisers of the event, Prince Chukwuemeka Okoye, CEO of Vegas Homes, said SP Sini’s conduct remains exemplary and should inspire others and Nigerians to note that the Nigeria Police Force has men of integrity and good conduct.
According to him, “SP Sini’s actions have not only brought honour to himself and the Nigeria Police Force but has also inspired countless others to stand firm against corruption and uphold the highest ethical standards. His integrity serves as a beacon of hope, demonstrating that even in challenging circumstances, it is possible to remain true to one’s values.
“This honour is aimed at not only appreciating the laudable conduct of Superintendent Ibrahim Sini, but to demonstrate that society appreciates individuals of integrity and good conduct.
“We want to also show that the Nigerian Police Force has officers that are professional, above board and with the right incentive engage in meaningful policing and be worthy examples.”
A visibly happy Sini, said, “I am very happy to be here, and I want to appreciate the organisers of this programme. They have beat my imagination, and they have added more grease to my elbow. Yes, I remember when the incident happened. The person in question asked me, ‘Do you want to be rich?’ He said, ‘This is an opportunity for you to be rich’
“So what I said was that it depends on the kind of riches. I would like to have money so that I can lay my head down and sleep at night. I don’t want to have something that will make me think twice and be running from one hole to another. So I would like to do justice and have peace of mind.
“So, I decided to do the right thing so that I can have peace of mind and also stand to do what is right for myself, for my organisation, that is, the Nigeria Police and also for the country at large.”
Sini added: “To the youth out there, I just want to tell them that integrity counts, that it’s good to be up and doing, that it’s possible to be in the midst of a lot of challenges and still stand to be different. Nigeria is our country, and Nigeria shall be great.”