Edith Uduma, a dismissed policewoman who served in Edo State, has accused the police of witchhunting her but the command insists she was culpable in a bribery scheme. She also voiced suicidal thoughts against herself and her children.

Before her dismissal, Uduma was in charge of a detention cell in a police station in the South Ibie area of Edo. In early October, her colleague Abraham Uzuobor stole her cell keys, took a 17-year-old female suspect out of the cell, and molested her in his office.

Uduma caught and recorded Uzuobor, but she later demanded N1 million to bury the matter. Uzuobor offered N45,000, but his colleague released the tape to her superiors, leading to an investigation and their dismissals.

On November 16, Harrison Gwamnishu, an activist and aide to the Delta State Governor, posted on X a video of Uduma claiming she never demanded money from her colleague.

However, a report by The Punch on Monday credited the former cop with a claim that she made the demand but only because she was attempting to lure her colleague out.

READ MORE: REVEALED: Edo Policeman ‘Raped’ 17-Year-Old. Female Cop Edith Eduma Demanded N1m Hush Money

Uduma said Lilian Osemwegie, the DPO at the time, told her to make the demand as Uzuobor was elusive. Osemwegie has since retired.

On Monday, EQ learnt from a source within the police that there exists a recording of Uduma making the bribe demand after consulting with her husband and his friend. The source said this recording was part of materials considered during the police’s investigation.

EQ called Moses Yamu, the police public relations officer in Edo, on Monday. He confirmed Ibrahim Mohammed, Uduma’s husband, was in custody with Yibala Inah, his friend. The Command demoted both men from Inspectors to Sergeants. Yamu said he expected Uduma to appeal the decision if she felt cheated.

When EQ asked about the allegations against Osemwegie, he said, “The DPO has served the country for 35 years and just recently retired. She would not leave the force because of this allegation. What the woman [Uduma] is doing is just to lay baseless allegations.”

Yamu said Uzuobor was still facing trial for defiling the minor.
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