Prof Adiele Arrested For Fraud, Not Abducted – Police

By Charles Igbo

The Imo State Police Command has put a lie to reports that Professor Jachimike Adiele was abducted on Saturday morning from the premises of Boss Radio where he co-hosted a programme.

The Radio Station had put out an alert that Adiele was abducted from their premises by armed men and asked the general public for help to locate him as his whereabouts were unknown.

Many hours later, Adiele put out a statement that he has regained his freedom, and thanked all those who came to his rescue. He did not explain what happened or who exactly abducted him.

But in a statement by the Police Command signed by its Public Relations Officer, CSP Michael Abattam, the Police revealed Professor Adiele was arrested for jumping bail in a case of fraud involving him.

According to the Police, Adiele was reported in March by a lady who accused him of collecting the sum of N1.2million to give her a shop at Douglas Road, Owerri. When he reneged on the promise, and wouldn’t refund the money, the Lady reported him to the Police.

Adiele was thus arrested and, on his promise to pay back the money in April, 2022, he was granted bail. But the Police said he did not pay, but instead jumped bail. When his surety was invited, he said he had not seen him.

Luck ran out on him when the Surety learnt he would be at Boss Radio Fm, and alerted the Police who went to the Station, waited outside for him, and arrested him as soon as he stepped out.

Following the Police statement:

RE: ARREST OF PROF.

ADIELE JACHIMIKE

“The attention of the Imo State Police Command has been drawn to a news making rounds that, today 11/6/2022 at about 0940hrs, one Prof. Jachimike Adiele a staff of Boss FM Radio was abducted by unknown persons. The news is false, because he was never abducted rather, he was arrested by police operatives from Police Area Command Owerri, lmo State.

“The facts was that, sometime in the month of March, 2022, a lady reported a case of fraud against Prof. Jachimike Adiele at the Police Area Command Owerri, alleging that, the said professor collected the sum of one million two hundred thausand (1.2 ) naira from her with a promise to give her a shop in Douglas market. But, after some months, she discovered that there was no shop and demanded for her money but could not get it hence, her report .

“On the strength of the complaint, Prof Jachimike Adiele was invited. After his statement, the Area Commander released him on bail due to his status in the society. And he promised refunding the money back to the lady on 1/4/2022, but never did rather, he jumped bail. When all efforts made to reach him proved abortive, the surety was invited and he claimed not know the whereabout of the suspect and pleaded for time to trace him.

“Luck ran against him today 11/6/2022 at about 0940 hours, when the surety got information that, he was in the studio presenting a programme and alerted the police. On arrival, the police were professional, they never went to the station rather, they waited until he concluded his programme presentation and was heading home when he was arrested to the station.  He has since been released and on conclusion of investigation, he will be charged to court.”

His Abduction Alert

“After the Program “THE FORUM”, some unidentified armed men stormed the premises of Boss Radio, Owerri, and abducted the co-host of the Forum, Prof Jachimike Adiele to an undisclosed location.

“We cannot confirm his whereabouts or his present state.

“We implore the law enforcement agencies to please, come to our rescue.

#bossradioowerri

#bossradio989fm”

His Appreciation Post On Release

“May I use this opportunity to thank my friends, relations and associates who called to check on me after the news that I was abducted by Policemen.  I am now safely at home.

“May I particularly thank Harriet Ijeomah, the host of The Forum at Boss Radio 98.9FM, who immediately sent out the information on my abduction, the General Manager Mr McDonald,  who followed up and the Chairman of Boss Radio,  Mr Michael Ikoku who ensured I was safe.

“Also,  thank you Dr Nma Olebara , Dr Fidel Onyeneke , Editor and Publisher Gele Agbai , Professor Chinedu Asinu-Anosike, Mr Nick Opara-Ndudu, Jones Fcc Onwuasoanya , Barrister Mbuba Ilobi Asika , Editor and Publisher Nwadike Precious U, and many other journalists in the Owerri area for reacting promptly in my defence.

“Thanks Superintendent of Police Chidi Maxwell for your professionalism.

“Nigeria must get better.

“I shall be making comments on this later.

Jachimike Adiele”