The Police Special Fraud Unit, Ikoyi, Lagos, has obtained an order of the Federal High Court to declare a businesswoman, Uyime Akpan, wanted over an alleged fraud involving the sum of N28.5 million.
The order was granted by Justice Friday Ogazi following an ex parte application filed by the Police Special Fraud Unit. The application was marked FHC/L/MISC/1410/2025 and was presented before the court by Barrister M. Y. Bello, a Chief Superintendent of Police attached to the Legal and Prosecution Department of the unit.
According to court documents, Uyime Akpan is accused of involvement in a financial transaction that allegedly resulted in the fraudulent diversion of N28.5 million. The police informed the court that the suspect had gone into hiding and could no longer be reached through known addresses, prompting the need for judicial intervention.
In the suit, the police listed Akpan as the first respondent. Other respondents named alongside her include the Department of State Services, the Nigerian Immigration Service, and the Nigerian Customs Service. The inclusion of these agencies was to ensure cooperation in tracking and apprehending the suspect, especially if she attempts to leave or has already left the country.
The Police Special Fraud Unit, through its counsel, asked the court to grant an order declaring the suspect wanted and placing her on the official wanted list of the unit located at 13 Milverton Road, Ikoyi, Lagos. The police stated that the order would remain in force until Akpan is arrested and brought before the court for prosecution.
The police further requested the court’s permission to publish the name and details of the suspect in national daily newspapers and on social media platforms operated by the Police Special Fraud Unit. This, according to the application, was necessary to aid public awareness and assist law enforcement agencies in locating and arresting the fleeing suspect.
Barrister Bello told the court that the application was supported by an affidavit, a written address, and several documentary exhibits. He explained that the materials before the court established sufficient grounds to justify the orders being sought.
The police lawyer urged the court to grant the application in the interest of justice. He said the suspect’s continued absence was hindering investigations and delaying possible prosecution over the alleged fraud.
After listening to the submissions made by counsel to the Police Special Fraud Unit, Justice Ogazi ruled that the application had merit. The judge stated that the court had carefully considered the motion paper and the arguments advanced in support of it.
In his ruling, Justice Ogazi formally granted the reliefs sought by the police. He ordered that Uyime Akpan be declared wanted and placed on the wanted list of the Nigeria Police Special Fraud Unit at Milverton Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, until she is arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The court also granted leave to the Police Special Fraud Unit to publish the name of the suspect in national daily newspapers and on its official social media platforms. The judge said this was to ensure compliance with the order declaring the suspect wanted and to enhance efforts to secure her arrest.
The ruling effectively empowers the police to intensify their search for the suspect and to seek the assistance of the public in providing information that could lead to her apprehension. It also allows relevant security and border control agencies to be placed on alert.
The case adds to ongoing efforts by law enforcement authorities to tackle alleged financial crimes and ensure that suspects do not evade justice by going into hiding. The Police Special Fraud Unit has maintained that it will continue its investigation into the alleged N28.5 million fraud once the suspect is arrested and brought before the court.
