The Akwa Ibom police spokesperson Odiko Macdon has accused Zion Umoh of trying to smear the image of the police after the latter accused a police constable of extortion and sex solicitation from suspect.

He said this in a statement issued to newsmen in Uyo on Sunday on the arrest of a serving police officer over alleged extortion and demand for sex from a suspect.

Mr Macdon said that the action of the police was sequel to a social media video made by Mr Umoh, alleging that Daniel Edet, a police constable, solicited sex and collected N60,000 as bail from a suspect.

“The attention of the command has been drawn to a social media video made viral by one Da Zion Umoh and a further update posted by the same person.

“The video is alleging that one Daniel Edet, a police constable, attached to Etim Ekpo Area Command, solicited sex and collected the sum of N60, 000 as bail after some persons were arrested.

“The gravity of the above allegation caused the CP to order the arrest of the said officer and his supervising officer.

“He also ordered that a discreet investigation be conducted and immediate disciplinary steps be put in place to punish the offending officer if found wanting.”

Mr Macdon recalled that sometime in December 2020, Mr Umoh was arrested by the police on valid charges of threat to life and conspiracy and that the matter was still in court.

He explained that since then, Mr Umoh has opted to smear the image of the police by all means.

He said that was the reason Mr Umoh opted for social media, rather than reporting the case to the police for the necessary action against its officer.

According to Mr Macdon, preliminary facts available to the police reveals that on June 17 at about 11:45 p.m., while on patrol within Abak circuits in Abak LGA, a team of policemen accosted a red De-Mak motorcycle carrying five passengers.

He said that when the motorcycle and the passengers were searched, the police recovered a live cartridge from one Godwin Wilson, a 25 -year old bar attendant and the rider of the bike.

Mr Macdon said that on interrogation, Mr Wilson alleged that he picked the cartridge at the bar where he sells after the birthday celebration of one Morris Sunday.

He said they were all arrested and detained till the following morning when they were interrogated by the area commander.

He added that they were all warned and granted bail except Mr Wilson who was found with a live cartridge.

Mr Macdon added that he was taken to court but he was returned to the police custody because the courts were not in session then.

Mr Macdon quoted the CP to have assured the public that if the allegations were correct, the said officer would be answerable for his action and justice would be served.