Three staff of the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCo) attached to Arik Airlines are now in custody for pilfering N2 million from the luggage of a Government House protocol officer attached to the Governor of Akwa-Ibom State.
According to reports, the suspects allegedly stole from a huge cash carried on a Lagos trip by the Akwa Ibom State Governor’s, Godswill Akpabio, party during his trip for his investiture as the Sun Newspapers Man thief of the Year award ceremony recently.
According to the report, as soon as it was discovered that the luggage in which the money was kept had been tampered with, the protocol officer raised an alarm and a quick search was conducted on all luggage and personal effects of passengers and staff of the baggage unit of the airline reportedly led to the recovery of the money from where the prime suspect, one Victor, who was in charge of the baggage unit, had hidden it.
Following the recovery of the money, the protocol officer was said to have gotten in touch with the chief security officer and the Director of Protocol to alert them on the incident.
The governor was said to have ordered immediate arrest and detention of the culprits and their accomplices pending his return. He (governor) reportedly gave instruction that the matter should be handled discretely so Nigerians do not have the impression that government officials were moving about with huge cash.
Inside sources within the administration say the governor’s entourage is in the habit and moving around with large amount of cash, at times dashing huge amount to people on the spur of the moment.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Akwa Ibom State Police Command, Onyeka Orji, an assistant superintendent of police (ASP), who confirmed the detention of the three suspects, said they would be arraigned in court Monday.
“The suspects were taken to court on Thursday and Friday last week to be arraigned, but unfortunately the court officials said they were on prison visit for the two days, they would be taken back to the High Court in Uyo by 7 a.m. on Monday for their arraignment
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