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Hotel Owner and Guests Arrested for Exposing Police Extortion

He was arrested on Tuesday morning for discussing in public the armed police raid on his hotel on January 15, 2024, which included an alleged N310,000 extortion. He was arrested along with other guests.

The Cross River State Command of the Nigeria Police Force apprehended Mr. Sunday Bassey, owner of Corner Stone Bush Bar Hotel in the Biase Local Government Area.

His arrest, along with that of other guests, occurred on Tuesday morning for openly discussing the armed police raid on his hotel on January 15, 2024, during which an alleged extortion of N310,000 took place.

The narrative begins with the armed police raid on Corner Stone Bush Bar Hotel on January 15, 2024. What was intended as a routine law enforcement operation took a dark turn when allegations of extortion emerged. The police operation allegedly involved the unlawful collection of N310,000 from the hotel owner and guests, marking a severe breach of trust and abuse of power.

Rather than being a response to the alleged police extortion, the arrest of Mr. Sunday Bassey, the hotel owner, and other guests adds a layer of complexity to the unfolding story. Bassey’s detention raises questions about the freedom to express concerns about law enforcement practices and the potential consequences individuals face when daring to expose misconduct.

According to a source speaking to SaharaReporters, the police, dissatisfied with guests freely sharing details with journalists, arrived at the hotel, asking Bassey to produce a guest identified as a citizen journalist.

“The police went to the hotel this morning, and they arrested Mr. Bassey and some of the guests who lodged in the hotel,” the source said.

At the core of this controversy is the alleged extortion of N310,000 during the police raid. The details surrounding the incident remain under investigation, but the gravity of the accusations against law enforcement personnel is undeniable. The alleged extortion not only undermines the public’s trust in the police force but also emphasizes the urgent need for transparency and accountability within law enforcement agencies.

Instances of police misconduct have long been a concern in many societies. The abuse of power, extortion, and other forms of corruption erode the very foundation of trust between law enforcement and the community they serve. The incident in Cross River serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges authorities face in rooting out corruption and maintaining public confidence.

One of the guests, who was also citizen journalist, Paul Ben Manasseh had also accused one of the police officers of trying to implicate him by dipping his hand in his pocket and bringing out an item believed to be “weed” during the encounter.

Many of the guests were injured during the operation.

The police spokesperson, Irene Ugbo when contacted for reaction initially told SaharaReporters that she was not aware of the incident, saying neither the police officers nor the victims reached out to her.

She therefore asked the victims to come to her office just as she promised to look in the matter.

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