Honest Taxi Driver Who Returned N18m Five Years Ago Gets Cash Reward Of N2.5m From SEC

Honesty still remains the best policy and no matter how long it takes, always comes with a reward. Ask Mr. Imeh Usuah, a taxi driver at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

Photo Credit: NAN

Five years ago, the driver while on his regular shuttles, picked up two foreigners from the airport in his taxi to the upscale Transcorp Hilton Hotel at Maitama, Abuja. Unknown to the passengers and Mr. Usuah, a bag containing N18 million, tucked under the car seat was left behindHonest.

Luckily for the owners of the cash & thanks to the honesty of Mr. Usuah, he discovered the cash and made efforts to return it back to the visitors at their hotel, intact. This singular and unprecedented act of honesty brought the previously unknown driver to limelight as he was given various awards for his acts.

In a continous recognition of Mr. Usuah, on Tuesday 25th September, 2012, the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) picked him as the winner of its  maiden Integrity Award.

Mr. Usuah, accompanied with his wife, was awarded a plaque and N2.5 million for his honesty making it the first time he is receiving such a huge cash award.

He had earlier been acknowledged and commended by different groups in the country such as the Nigeria Network of Women and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Also the National Orientation Agency (NOA) has given him an award and $200 for his honesty.

The Director- General of SEC, Arunma Oteh, said that the award was the commission’s contributions toward the promotion, recognition and reward for integrity.

“Usuah’s exemplary act of honesty and integrity had sprinkled a burst of refreshing dew upon the national consciousness,” Premium Times quoted her as saying.

In his response, Mr Usuah commended the commission for the gesture and devoted the award to the “unsung honest and committed Nigerians across the country.”