The police in Edo State have allegedly detained Dania Emmanuel Akintola, 33, and demanded N3.4million for his release after failing to apprehend his cousin, Dania Theophilus Arumala, who is accused of defrauding a woman in a failed cryptocurrency transaction.

Speaking to Newsmenon Friday, Akintola’s brother, Dania Stanley Ojo, said his cousin escaped, but his brother was arrested.

Akintola was reportedly arrested in Ibillo, Akoko-Edo, and taken to the Edo State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) headquarters in Benin City.

Ojo further stated that the case revolved around a woman known as Sharon DukeBTC, who introduced a prospective cryptocurrency investor to Theophilus. “She wanted to invest in crypto, but things didn’t go well,” Ojo said, adding that his cousin’s new motorcycle was also seized by the police.

According to Ojo, the police are now demanding a sum of N3.4 million to “kill the case,” while DukeBTC reportedly seeks N1.5million and the motorcycle as restitution. “The Nigerian Police, Edo state command strikes again,” Ojo expressed. “Arresting him was illegal, now further holding him since 25th of October without charging to court for any offence is another illegality.”
The family has condemned the detention of Akintola, who they believe is being held in place of his cousin, describing the arrest as a violation of legal principles.

Ojo insisted, “The Nigeria police should go look for the suspect they are after who is related to Daniel and release Daniel immediately.”

The family is calling for Akintola’s immediate release, decrying what they allege to be a case of wrongful arrest and extortion.

Ojo added, “Dania Theophilus Arumala frauded a lady and was tracked by the police but unfortunately, my brother was with him on that very day my cousin escaped but my brother was arrested.

“He was taken to Edo State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) headquarters.

“According to what I heard, a lady by name Sharon DukeBTC was the one that introduced the girl to my cousin for cryptocurrencies trading. She wanted to invest in crypto but things didn’t go well.“Now, the police are demanding N3.4 million and the girl is saying that she’ll collect N1.5 million and the bike.“The police are demanding N3.4 million to kill the case.”

When Newsmen contacted the Edo State Police Public Relations Officer, Moses Yamu, he said he was not aware but directed the relatives of the victims to report to the station.“I am not aware, kindly advise the complainant to contact the Command complaint response unit pls.”