A popular hotel in Bayelsa State, Euphemie Motel, located in Opu-Nembe within the Nembe Bassambiri community, is threatening legal action against the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, over an alleged unpaid debt.
The debt reportedly stems from the Police SWAT team’s stay at the motel from August 12, 2023, to the present, during a sting operation related to the 2023 Bayelsa State Governorship Election. The SWAT team, led by CSP Silas Adebayo, was deployed at the request of Chief Timipre Sylva, the former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and APC’s gubernatorial candidate.
According to the motel’s counsel, Inemoye Maxwell Brown Esq of R.M Whyte & Co, a letter dated September 23, 2024, details the hotel’s claims.
The 50-bedroom establishment, charging N25,000 per night and N100,000 per day for its conference rooms, has been occupied by police personnel without payment for over 13 months, significantly impacting its operations.
According to Inemoye Maxwell Brown Esq, ” Our client’s business premises and the facilities are almost in complete ruin and a complete renovation is imminent and it is imperative to restore their facility with a view to returning it to normal business.”

“We, therefore, call on the Police IG to use his good office to direct his men and officers, who forcefully moved into and occupied our client’s hotel as described from 12th of August,2023 till date and counting in Opu Nembe to immediately vacate within six weeks upon the receipt of this correspondence. ”

“That the sum of N625,000,000 only covering the above period from 12th August 2023 to 12th September 2024 be paid within six weeks upon the receipt of this correspondence.”

He however noted that if the correspondence from the law chamber, R.M Whyte&Co are treated with levity,” we shall approach the Court to seek damages done to the client’s property.”