A senior officer of the Nigeria Police Force, Nkeiruka Nwode, has reacted to a leaked audio published by Sahara Reporters, stating that the recording has instead reinforced her professionalism amid what she described as a smear campaign.
The audio, which was linked to activist and publisher Omoyele Sowore, allegedly features a conversation between a male voice and a female voice said to be that of the police officer.
Reacting in a statement issued on Monday, Nwode said the publication was part of an attempt to blackmail and discredit her but had failed in its objective.
According to her, the conversation in the recording relates to an ongoing case involving one Nnamdi Emeh, who was accused of withdrawing money from the account of a detained suspect.
She explained that the matter was brought to her attention by the family and lawyer of Chibuike Ekwueme, who was reportedly held at a police facility in Awkuzu, while funds were allegedly being withdrawn from his account.
Nwode alleged that Emeh refused to honour police invitations and instead attempted to pressure her into dropping the case, escalating the situation into what she described as blackmail.
She further claimed that the audio captured statements in which Emeh described her as the only obstacle preventing him from moving freely, and allegedly admitted to funding efforts aimed at discrediting her.
Part of the recording also featured the voice attributed to Nwode insisting that the suspect “must be arrested and prosecuted,” a position she maintained was in line with her duties as a police officer.
The officer stressed that she has always discharged her responsibilities with professionalism and integrity, adding that no form of intimidation would deter her from carrying out her lawful duties.
The Nigeria Police Force has not officially commented on the development as of the time of filing this report.
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