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The Zone 2 Police Command in Lagos State has told a
Federal High Court in Lagos that one of its officers,
Victor Banor, was being held in detention for
allegedly stealing an exhibit vehicle in a criminal
case under investigation.
The Command equally alleged that Banor, who
had since been dismissed from the Force, had
continued to fraudulently earn salaries from 15
different police commands across the country to the
tune of about N20m.
The Legal Officer of Zone 2 Command, Mr. Justin
Enang, stated this in a counter-affidavit filed in
opposition to Banor’s suit seeking declaration that
his prolonged detention without trial was a violation
of his rights.
Banor had joined as respondents in his suit the
Inspector General of Police, the Assistant
Commissioner of Police, Federal Special Anti-Robbery
Squad, Adeniji Adele, Lagos; and the Investigating
Police Officer, DSP Solomon Igwe.
Opposing Banor’s prayers before Justice C.J. Aneke on
Wednesday, Enang said it would only be in the
interest of justice if the court would discountenance
Banor’s application seeking to be freed.
While arguing that the likelihood of Banor
absconding was high, Enang noted that the accused
had failed to turn up until he was arrested in
Onitsha, Anambra State on April 15, this year.
Enang said, “When he was arrested, he claimed to be
a Chief Superintendent of Police, flashing a police
warrant card and demanding to be shown respect as
a ‘senior officer.’
“Photocopies of forged police Identity Cards were
found on him, with the names: “CSP” Afamefuna
Banor V. and “W/SGT” Hannah Markson Banor,
among others.
“The police further found badges and insignia of a
Deputy Commissioner of Police in his home. He
absconded from the Enugu Command with a Police
Barretta pistol loaded eight rounds of ammunition.
“Ongoing investigation has revealed a barrage of
forgeries leading to monumental fraud by the
applicant who opened more than 25 bank accounts
using fictitious names with which he has been
collecting and still collects monthly salaries from
over 15 command payrolls across the country.
“Releasing the applicant will jeopardise our
investigation as he is still dribbling us over the
service pistol in his possession, taking us on a wild-
goose chase.
“It will be in the interest of justice to refuse this
application as many lives are still at risk since the
applicant has refused to produce the police
automatic weapon he absconded with.”
The counter-affidavit deposed to by the third
respondent, Igwe, read in part, “The applicant forged
office stamps of various Commissioners of Police,
including CP Awka, Enugu, Lagos and Kogi State
with which he forged and signed fake documents
which he uttered to the various banks to open salary
accounts for himself.
“If the applicant is released on bail, the prosecution
of the charges will be at risk and he will not make
himself available for trial as he will run away as
usual.
Justice Aneke adjourned till November 21 for ruling
on Banor’s bail application.
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