Prominent industrialist and philanthropist Chief Ebuka Onunkwo has honored an immigration officer, Prince Ugochukwu Orji, with a N5 million cash reward for his exceptional bravery and integrity in arresting a fleeing ritual suspect.
Orji, who serves with the Nigerian Immigration Service, made headlines after apprehending the wanted fake native doctor, known as Ichie Billion, at the Seme Border while the suspect attempted to flee Nigeria on a motorcycle into the Republic of Benin.
The native doctor was reportedly wanted for multiple ritual-related killings and had gone into hiding until his attempted escape.
Officer Orji, recognizing the suspect from viral internet photos, stopped and confronted him. Despite being offered escalating bribes—starting from N3 million and rising to N15 million, Orji refused and instead quietly detained the suspect. He later confirmed the identity with his superior and proceeded to arrest the man, recovering incriminating voice notes from his phone.
In a special ceremony held at Chief Onunkwo’s residence, the Chairman and CEO of Seahorse Lubricant Industries Ltd. presented Orji with a cheque of N5,000,000 as part of the company’s corporate social responsibility.
“Nigeria still has men of honour. Ugochukwu stood in the gap when it mattered. In a system where many are tempted to sell their conscience, he chose to uphold the law.
“Seahorse is giving him N5 million not just to appreciate his bravery but to encourage a culture of truth and accountability in our nation.
“I urge the Nigerian Immigration Service to look into this case and consider rewarding Ugochukwu officially. Let this be an example to others that honesty is not only possible in this country, but it also pays. Our system must start celebrating people who choose integrity over impunity,” he said.
