By Ebinum Samuel
The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Olatunji Disu, has directed the Force Criminal Investigations Department (FCID) to investigate a petition by a Lagos businessman, Mr Ifeanyi Ochi, also known as Otega, who alleges he was beaten, nearly kidnapped and robbed at a hotel in Ejigbo, and that footage of the incident was later posted online.
In a letter dated October 13, 2026 (Ref: CB: 7000/IGP.SEC/ABJ/VOL.105A/42), the IGP’s office forwarded the petition to the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of FCID, at the FCID Complex, Area 10, Garki, Abuja.
The letter was signed by ACP Enezie O. Makuju-Akaba, Principal Staff Officer II to the IGP.
“I am to humbly convey the directive of the Inspector General of Police that you deal,” the letter said. It added that the directive “does not serve as an authority to take over a case that was earlier reported and being investigated at another Command/Formation of the Force.”
The petition, dated October 12, 2026, was filed by Ifeanyi Wilson & Associates on behalf of Mr Ifeanyi Ochi, also known as Otega.
It names four people: Mr Okwudili Chukwu Nwobodo, Faith Nwobodo, Jeph Okechi and Paschal Nonso Agbafuna.
It accuses them of attempted murder, failed kidnapping attempts and “whole-scale murderous assaults.” It also alleges theft, breach of data privacy laws, cyberbullying and criminal defamation.
According to the petition, Mr Ochi was attacked after meeting Mrs Faith Nwobodo, wife of Mr Nwobodo, at ‘Today Exclusive Hotel,’ located in the Ejigbo area of Lagos State.
The lawyers describe Mr Nwobodo as “an acquaintance of our client and mutual family friend.”
The petition alleges that Mr Nwobodo “led a team” that subjected Mr Ochi to “a severe and almost lynching,” accusing him of trying to “sleep with his wife.”
It claims Mr Ochi was taken from the hotel to an unknown destination.
The petition says Mr Ochi suffered severe bodily injuries, internal bleeding, and a near loss of eyesight.
The petition claims that about US$20,000, jewellery, a wristwatch and phones were taken from Mr Ochi during the attempted kidnapping.
US$20,000 is currently worth about ₦26,635,400 at the official Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) exchange rate of ₦1,331.77 per dollar.
On the parallel (black market), where the rate is around ₦1,390 per dollar, the same amount would be closer to ₦27,800,000
It further alleges that the confrontation and assault were recorded and published on Facebook, WhatsApp and elsewhere online.
Mr Ochi’s lawyers say the aim was “to intimidate, harass and ridicule our client.”
They deny any impropriety between Mr Ochi and Mrs Nwobodo, stating that the two “were neither in any compromising position as those being active sexually and neither was there any intention thereof.”
The petition argues that the conduct was “laced with malice” and meant to damage Mr Ochi’s reputation “as a God-fearing citizen,” leaving him exposed to “public odium.”
The lawyers asked for “urgent forensic intervention and investigation” from the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, FCID Annex, Alagbon Close, Ikoyi, Lagos. U. W. Ifeanyichukwu, Esq., PhD, signed the petition.
