Adams Oshiomhole Alerts Godswill Akpabio About Potential Blackmail Risks from Private Investigator Bill

Former Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole expressed his concerns regarding a proposed law that would allow Nigerians to obtain licenses for private investigations.

He warned that such legislation could result in extortion, blackmail, and unnecessary competition, which would be challenging to regulate.

Oshiomhole emphasized that the responsibility for investigations is already assigned to established agencies like the police, DSS, EFCC, and ICPC, which are tasked with ensuring law and order.

He recounted a past situation in which private investigators were established but ended up targeting individuals and organizations, leading to instances of blackmail.

This issue became so severe that the federal government had to step in and disband the group, underscoring the potential dangers of granting investigative authority to private citizens.

In a live broadcast by Symfoni, Oshiomhole stated, “If the Senate passes a law allowing Nigerians to apply for licenses to investigate anyone, it will essentially serve as a license for extortion and blackmail, creating unnecessary rivalry that would be uncontrollable.

If there is a genuine need for private investigations, which I need to be convinced exists, those responsibilities are already managed by institutions like the police, SIB, DSS, EFCC, and ICPC.”

He also recalled a specific incident involving an individual who was part of a setup to conduct investigations but ended up targeting people and organizations for blackmail.

This situation led to embarrassment for the federal government, resulting in the disbandment of the group involved.