Despite many petitions against him, “the police authorities have failed to act decisively," a source told SaharaReporters.
A group of Nigerian police officers who identified themselves as Supernumerary (Spy) Police Stakeholders has accused the force authorities of failing to act on a petition which accused CP Allen Abiodu Abiola, Commissioner of Police, Supernumerary Police Unit, of mismanagement of funds.
In a petition obtained by SaharaReporters, police officers urged the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to investigate alleged mismanagement of funds, misrepresentation, and conduct prejudicial to discipline by the police commissioner overseeing the Supernumerary Police Unit, CP Abiola.
Despite many petitions against him, “the police authorities have failed to act decisively," a source told SaharaReporters.
Petition Submitted to Force Headquarters
The petition, submitted to the Inspector-General of Police at Louis Edet House, Force Headquarters, Abuja, through the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Department of Training and Development (DTD), alleged that the controversy has triggered “deep division, distrust, and a breakdown of discipline” within the Supernumerary (Spy) Police Unit.
Alleged ‘Dinner Project’ Fundraising Scheme
According to the petitioners, the matter centres on the solicitation, collection and alleged mishandling of funds under a covert initiative referred to as the “Dinner Project,” which they said was spearheaded by CP Abiola.
The petition stated that on Sunday, September 11, 2022, CP Abiola summoned senior officers and stakeholders of the SPU to a crucial meeting at the Police Training School, Ikeja, Lagos.
At the meeting, he reportedly informed attendees that he had held a “top-secret” discussion with the Office of the Inspector-General of Police and then-Principal Personal Assistant to the IGP, CP Joseph Owuabunwa.
He allegedly told stakeholders that the principal aide had assured him that a financial contribution would “smoothen” the ongoing proposal to change the Supernumerary Police uniform from grey to black-on-black.
The petition further alleged that CP Abiola subsequently directed stakeholders to raise a total sum of “₦25,000,000 (Twenty-five Million Naira)” to facilitate the project, assigning the code-name “Dinner Project” to conceal its true purpose and discourage external scrutiny.
According to the petitioners, officers and stakeholders, believing the project to be legitimate and approved by the highest authority, contributed the required funds. The total contribution was reportedly converted into “$10,000 (Ten Thousand US Dollars)” for delivery to Owuabunwa.
Controversial Handling of Alleged $10,000 Transfer
The stakeholders said they advised that CP Abiola should attend the handover meeting alongside SPY/DCP Victor Izuagba and SPY/DCP Malik Muhammadu “for transparency and safety,” but SPY/DCP Malik Muhammadu later excused himself due to a prior engagement.
The petition claimed that CP Abiola had earlier informed stakeholders that the meeting with Owuabunwa would take place on a Wednesday and directed SPY/DCP Victor Izuagba to meet him in Abuja that morning for onward movement to Force Headquarters.
However, petitioners alleged that “shockingly,” on Monday morning, which was two days before the scheduled meeting, CP Abiola called from Abuja claiming that he had already met Owuabunwa and delivered the $10,000.
He allegedly instructed SPY/DCP Victor Izuagba not to travel to Abuja anymore, stating that the matter had been “handled,” an action the stakeholders described as unilateral and contrary to their collective agreement.
Alleged Attempts to Block Verification
The petition further alleged that when Owuabunwa was later transferred to the Lagos State Police Command, stakeholders made efforts to pay him a courtesy visit, which they described as standard procedure and an opportunity to clarify unresolved issues.
However, CP Abiola was accused of consistently frustrating every attempt to visit Owuabunwa, insisting that he alone must lead the delegation while repeatedly presenting excuses, delays and cancellations.
According to the petitioners, his refusal to allow stakeholders to meet Owuabunwa raised “serious suspicion,” with many officers believing that CP Allen Abiola feared that a direct engagement might reveal that the $10,000 was never delivered.
The petition stated that the handling of the “Dinner Project” has caused widespread uproar, distrust and division among stakeholders in the Supernumerary Police Unit, creating “open rebellion, accusations, and hostility” among contributing officers.
For over six months, the petitioners alleged that many stakeholders have openly questioned the integrity of the transaction and accused CP Abiola of failing to deliver the funds to Owuabunwa.
While CP Abiola reportedly claims to possess a receipt showing he handed over the money, the petitioners alleged that he has “repeatedly refused to produce the said receipt,” further fuelling suspicion, weakening discipline and damaging morale within the unit.
Call for Investigation and Disciplinary Action
The petitioners said the allegations amount to possible financial impropriety, misrepresentation, abuse of office and conduct prejudicial to discipline, noting that the secrecy surrounding the collection and alleged transfer of funds undermines transparency, accountability and the credibility of the Nigeria Police Force.
They therefore called on the Inspector-General of Police, through the Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DTD), to order “an immediate, comprehensive, and independent investigation” into the entire circumstances surrounding the “Dinner Project.”
They also urged the IGP to direct CP Abiola to produce the alleged receipt, email communications or any material evidence showing that the $10,000 was handed over to Owuabunwa, examine possible breaches of professional conduct, extortion or misrepresentation, and take appropriate disciplinary or administrative action against any officer found culpable.
The petition further requested that clear guidelines be issued prohibiting unapproved fundraising or solicitation of money under the guise of Force Headquarters operations.
The petitioners affirmed that all facts presented were true to the best of their knowledge, based on eyewitness accounts, documented contributions and discussions held among stakeholders.
Questions Over CP Abiola’s Academic Claims
Beyond the financial allegations, petitioners also questioned CP Abiola’s claim to a professorship.
"He claims to have been awarded professorship by Elizade University but that has been seen as untrue," one of the police sources said.
"He also claims to have gotten his PhD from Cameroon, all these claims are disputable.”
SaharaReporters reached out to Elizade University’s Public Relations Officer, Oluremi Williams, but he did not respond to enquiries seeking confirmation or denial of the professorship purportedly conferred on CP Allen at the time of filing this report.
Efforts to obtain Allen’s comments were also unsuccessful.