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Tag: IG

  • IG’s ban on checkpoints excites motorists

    IG’s ban on checkpoints excites motorists

    Motorists are excited over the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Solomon Arase’s ban on checkpoints and road blocks.

    They said yesterday that they were now free from “unnecessary traffic and extortion” by policemen.

    Mr Tunde Alaba, a commercial bus driver, said he was happy that checkpoints had been banned.

    “Thank God the checkpoints are reducing, we will now be able to save more money to earn our living,’’ he said.

    Another commercial bus driver, Mr Sadiq Adekunle, said that he was happy over the withdrawal of police checkpoints but complained about the few still existing.

    “It’s a good thing that the police checkpoints are being withdrawn but some policemen still put up their roadblocks in some inner parts of Lagos,’’ he said.

    An engineer, Deji Adeleke, said banning of checkpoints was good since the police had realised that it was causing Lagosians more pain than good.

    “The ban on checkpoints is a good development. I guess the police have now realised that it’s the policemen at the checkpoints that paint a bad image of the force,’’ he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), however, observed that checkpoints were still mounted at nights in some areas.

    At Oshodi, opposite the Nigerian Army Shopping Complex, Arena, at the junction leading to Oshodi Local Government Secretariat, some policemen take advantage of the traffic to extort money from motorists.

    Some experts have argued that the police do not need checkpoints or roadblocks to curb crime.

    Mr Jide Oluwole, a security consultant, said the world had gone beyond setting up roadblocks to check crime.

    “Since it’s certain we can’t be everywhere at the same time, with the use of technology, the crime rate in the state can be minimised,’’ he said.

    Mr Mike Olutayo, Head Operations at Identity Securities, said Close Circuit Television (CCTV) could be installed to monitor crime.

    If those already installed covered Lagos, he said, it could be used with a functional database, adding that the police do not need roadblocks to secure the state.

    But some Lagosians are worried that hoodlums may cash in on the ban to wreck havoc.

     

  • IG deploys special squad in Ekiti, Kogi

    IG deploys special squad in Ekiti, Kogi

    The Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, has assured the people of Ekiti State of rapid response to the spate of kidnapping.

    Arase spoke when Governor Ayodele Fayose visited him in his office. He promised to deploy special teams to Ekiti and Kogi states within the next 48 hours.

    The IG said the police will do everything to ensure that all states are rid of criminals. Arase assured the governor that Ekiti will soon become safe for economic activities.

    Fayose congratulated the IG on his well deserved elevation, noting that he was at the Police Headquarters to intimate the IG on the state of security in Ekiti.

    He said the dimension of kidnapping in the state was strange, noting that about eight people have been kidnapped in the last three weeks.

    The governor, therefore, appealed to Arase to deploy experts to the state. He said people were becoming agitated and the government is very much concerned.

    Addressing reporters, Fayose expressed his readiness to continue to create an enabling environment for the police to thrive.

    He said all must work together, irrespective of party affiliations, to ensure a peaceful Ekiti.

  • Court invasion: IG directs CP to fish out perpetrators

    Court invasion: IG directs CP to fish out perpetrators

    The Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Suleiman Abba, has directed the Bayelsa Commissioner of Police to fish out those who invaded a Federal High Court in Yenagoa on Monday.

    The directive is contained in a statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, Mr Emmanuel Ojukwu and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday.

    The statement stated that the perpetrators of the dastardly act which disrupted proceedings at the court must be brought to justice.

    The statement said that two female lawyers were assaulted during the invasion.

    It restated the commitment of the police to provide safe and secure environment for the dispensation of justice.

  • Kwara governor, Akume slam IG

    Kwara governor, Akume slam IG

    Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed and Senate Minority Leader George Akume yesterday faulted the usurpation of the judiciary’s role by Acting Inspector General of Police Suleiman Abba who withdrew House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Tambuwal’s security.

    The governor spoke in Ilorin. The senator issued a statement in Abuja.

    Ahmed described the furore generated by the Speaker’s defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) as uncalled for.

    He said it was the business of the judiciary and not that of any other organ of government to interpret laws and the legal implication of political actions.

    Ahmed questioned the constitutionality of the unilateral reduction in the allocations to states and local governments by the Federal Government, adding that it needed to be subjected to examination by the judiciary.

    The governor spoke during the swearing-in of members of the reconstituted Kwara State Judicial Service Commission.

    He said: “It is the business of the judiciary and not that of any other arm or organ of government to interpret laws of the land and the legal implication of political action, such as cross-carpeting at the National Assembly and indeed the executive.”

    Ahmed said the unilateral reduction in the allocation due to states from the Federation Account, allegedly due to fluctuations in global oil prices and oil theft, were gradually impoverishing states and local governments.

    His word: “If this situation is not addressed unequivocally and quickly, the next few months will prove even more difficult for our state and indeed all others that are burdened by the unsubstantiated cuts in the Federation Account allocation.”

    Akume described the withdrawal of Tambuwal’s security as another “classic act of Executive impunity and lawlessness”.

    This act only adds to several others which have characterised this administration and threatens the growth of democracy which is not measured by existence of democratic structures but by promotion of the rule of law.

    “The hilarious recourse of the police to constitutional interpretation, which is the exclusive jurisdiction of the judiciary, is to say the least most unfortunate.

    “One wonders why the police could only see and read S.68(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution but was blind to subsection (2) of the same provision, which vests the power to declare a member’s seat vacant on the ground of defection to only the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

    “One also wonders why the police could not advise itself that since there are pending litigations on the subject matter, they should wait for the outcome of judicial interpretation on the contentious constitutional provision. Recently, Governor Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State defected to the PDP with all the Labour Party members of the House of Representatives and Ondo State House of Assembly, including its Speaker, but the police neither withdrew the Security detail of Governor Mimiko, the state Assembly Speaker, nor effected the removal of those members from the various legislative Houses.

    “No one is in doubt that the police IG is merely being used by President Jonathan to achieve a partisan agenda. This is absurd. This is unlawful and immoral. It is particularly absurd because, President Jonathan only just returned from the Holy Land of Israel. He had travelled to Israel on Holy pilgrimage in company of CAN President Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor and other men of God primarily to seek the favour of God in his re-election bid and also to pray for the overall progress of Nigeria.

    “Nigeria expects on return a sober, penitent and spiritually-rejuvenated President. Not one brazenly desecrating the constitution he swore to uphold. The President is as much qualified for VIP protection as the Speaker is. The Speaker presides over an important Chamber in the legislative arm of government which appropriates the salaries the President and entire executive arm (which includes the Police) are paid from. A temperament such as this one exhibited by Mr. President can hardly pass for a Nigerian who more than any other, living or dead, has benefited from the parliament. By act of parliament, his boss was impeached as governor and he became the governor of Bayelsa State. By application of the doctrine of necessity, the Parliament made him an Acting President.

    “He thus became both Governor and President without contesting election.

    Nigerians expect reciprocal respect between the two arms of government, not politics of subterfuge and arm twisting. The Parliament has its rules to handle its affairs and the President must allow the House deal with its leadership issue.

    “Let all people of Goodwill rise to condemn all acts which threaten the enhancement of democratic culture, values and ethos. This is one such occasions.”

     

  • Zone 7 police chief Abba tipped for IG

    Zone 7 police chief Abba tipped for IG

    Barring a last minute change, Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Suleiman Abba will take over today as the 17th Inspector General of Police.

    If approved by President Goodluck Jonathan the AIG Zone 7, will take over from Muhammed Abubakar, who bows out today after serving the mandatory 35 years in service.

    Abubakar was appointed on January 16 , 2012.

    Abba, who hails from Jigawa State in the Northwest geo-political zone like Abubakar (who hail from Zamfara), was strongly recommended for the top job by the Police Service Commission (PSC).

    If Abba is appointed, some of the Deputy Inspectors Generals (DIGs) will retire. The fate of the other was unknown last night.

    Abba is a former Aide-de-Camp to a former First Lady, Mrs. Maryam Abacha.

    A member of the Nigeria  Police Council, who spoke in confidence last night: “Abba has been “strongly” recommended to the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces as the next IGP, based on the recommendation of the Police Service Commission.

    “The Police Council met and ratified the recommendation. The President is expected to make an official announcement upon the expiration of the outgoing IGP’s tenure today.

    Abba was Commissioner of Police in Rivers State and the Chairman of Police Cooperative before he became AIG Zone 7.

    Another source at the Police Service Commission, said: “We looked at the security challenges facing the nation and how to address these. The service records of Abba showed that he can lead the police to tackle terrorism headlong.

    “Some have raised issues on his being ADC during Abacha era, but his evaluation confirmed that he was never wanting.

    “He has good antecedents for the job. And security reports indicated that he would excel.”

    On why a North-West candidate is succeeding the outgoing IGP from the same geopolitical zone, the source added: “We are after merit.”

  • Farmer held for ‘impersonating IG, Okonjo-Iweala

    Farmer held for ‘impersonating IG, Okonjo-Iweala

    A thirty-four-year-old fish farmer has been arrested for allegedly impersonating the Inspector General of Police (IGP). The suspect, Victor Kakong, was said to have used the IGP’s letterhead with a forged document bearing his name and signature.

    He is also accused of using the name of the Minister of Finance, Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, and other prominent Nigerians to defraud his victims.

    Kekong allegedly forged other highly confidential documents to perpetrate the act.

    The Lagos Police Command’s spokesperson, Ngozi Braide, a Deputy Superintendent (DSP), who paraded the suspect, said other incriminating documents found on him include: A Federal High Court certificate of legality, a Central Bank cheque, a Ministry of Tourism’s contract award certificate, and an anti-drug and money laundering clearance certificate.

    Braide said the suspect, who lives at 5, Sand Avenue in Ifako, a Lagos suburb, confessed that all the documents also were counterfeit, adding that he confessed to impersonating an American in a bid to perfect the planned fraud.

    The suspect was arrested by police operatives from Area ‘G’ Command in Ogba, while attempting to defraud another victim.

    Also, a 55-year-old man, who claimed to be a graphic artist, was also paraded for being in possession of fake US Dollars.

    Braide said his arrest followed a tip-off, adding that the suspects would soon be charged to court.

  • For IG, DIGs, AIGs, CPs

    WHEN you use ‘demand’ or ‘advocate’ as a verb, do not add ‘for’, please!

    “The reason is because (that) our parties lack political ideologies.” (The PUNCH Back Page Salvo, January 20) This was contributed by Dr. Stanley Nduagu, Abia ANA President, 08062925996. Additionally from Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, New Edition: Do not say ‘the reason because’ something happens…but say the reason why that something happens. ‘By reason of something’ means because of something. An analysis, like the foregoing, brings out the technicality of language which puts off most readers! And from me: you can say ‘the reason why I came’ or ‘the reason I came’. Some books frown at the former, why most dictionaries approve it. That is grammaticality for you!

    From Mr. G.O. Komolafe, Ilesa (08037277985) comes the next excerpt: “Twice THE NATION ON SUNDAY COMMENT (EDITORIAL) of January 12 used ‘severally’ and it got the meaning wrong. Note that the word is not the adverb of ‘several’, but the opposite of ‘jointly’ or ‘collectively’.

    SATURDAY INDEPENDENT of January 18 goofed on five occasions: “230 perish in road crashes in Nasarawa” THE NATION ON SUNDAY of January 19 also committed this same atrocity apparently from the same news source: “230 killed in Nasarawa road crashes in 12 months” The victims were not killed, but died/perished…! Except in unusual circumstances, roads cannot crash when accidents happen. What crashes are vehicles—not roads! We can have road/rail/air/sea mishaps and respective contraptions could crash—not the means.

    “Back to school (Back-to-school) resolution”

    “Lagos official charged for (with) violating Tenancy Law”

    “Only agriculture can solve Nigeria’s unemployment problem” ‘Unemployment’ is a present and clear problem globally. Therefore, there is no need for redundancies!

    “Matches between the two teams in the past have (had) always live (lived) to expectations….”

    THE NATION ON SUNDAY of January 19 disseminated copious blunders: “Harmattan hampers voters turn out in Jigawa Local Govt (LG) election” No news: voter turnout

    “INEC reads riot act to staff” Fixed expression: the riot act—headline considerations should not vitiate stock entries.

    “It must have been distraction (distractions) galore”

    “This seems an insult, both on the spirit and letters of representative government.” (National Mirror Views Page, January 16) Get it right: the spirit of the law (in this case, representative government) There is nothing like ‘the spirit and letters of…’! The correct expression means intention: the meaning or qualities that someone intended something to have, especially the meaning that a law or rule was intended to have. ‘The letter of the law’, conversely, means the exact words of a law or agreement rather than the intended or general meaning. (Source: Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English, New Edition)

    Still from Longman: Do not say ‘invitation letter’ or ‘complaint letter’. Say letter of invitation/complaint.

    “It is a common sight in most police units and stations to behold all manners of faulty equipment….” Not my opinion: all manner of equipment.

    “They will only end up frustrating the good intentions of the president, thereby continually subjecting Nigerians into (to) servitude.”

    “As popular as the two investigative panels he has put in place may appear, the power to investigate all issues are (is) vested in the respective legislative houses….”

    “Charges of corruption against those in authority is (are) not new to Nigerians.”

    “Although, personally, his integrity was never questioned, that of the members of his administration were (was) loudly condemned.”

    “So (a comma) with dwindling earnings, the Abubakar administration cannot (could not) be expected to maintain the same healthy foreign reserve as he inherited.”

    POLICE ETYMOLOGY

    NIGERIAN policemen are supposed to be friends of the society. Alas, their adversarial comportment reminds one of colonialism. Cops in other countries are very friendly and professional. On December 27, 2013, during my trip to Umuode en route to Aba, Abia State, a cop flagged me down just before Ore and asked for the tinted glass police permit for my Sport-Utility Vehicle (SUV). All explanations that I forgot it in my wife’s car when I took the SUV to my local mechanic for check-up preparatory to my South East trip fell on deaf ears! The presence of my wife and children did not make any emotional difference as the insolent and corrupt cop, Corporal Temitope Oluwasope (212039), standing and dangling a WW1 gun as if we were in a war situation proximal to their rickety operational vehicle numbered NPF 533B, insisted that I bribe him with N10,000 for contravening the law! There was no hint of taking us to the station for a statement and subsequent ticketing or making pretensions about dragging me to a kangaroo traffic court! It took the intervention of a senior officer and a gentleman before the extortionist and unruly constable could accept N2,000, which I reluctantly paid to foreclose further time wastage because of the tender children aboard and the long, bumpy trajectory ahead. Otherwise, I do not succumb to such circumstantially exploitative demands. Such extortive brazenness is the identity of Nigerian police nationwide! This kind of official (police) banditry should be limited to Lagos roads where it is a way of life for officers and men of the Lagos Police Command under the feeble and rudderless leadership of Umar Manko! The IGP, DIGs, AIGs and CPs should check the corrupt and beggarly language of their ‘boys’ while on illegal/outlawed (virtual roadblock) duty. Such foul communication hallmarks irredeemable institutional degeneracy.

  • IG redeploys five AIGs

    IG redeploys five AIGs

    The Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, has ordered the redeployment of five Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs) and two Commissioners of Police (CPs) to various zonal and state commands or formations

    They are AIG David Omojola, Zone 11 Osogbo, comprising Osun, Ondo and Oyo States; AIG Tambari Yabo Mohammed, Zone 1, Kano, comprising Kano, Jigawa and Katsina States; AIG Mohammed J. Gana, Zone 12, Bauchi, comprising Bauchi, Borno and Yobe States; AIG Edgar T. Nanakumo, Force Animal Branch; and CP Saidu Madawaki, now CP Kogi State.

    Others are the former Commissioner of Police, Anambra State, Ballah M. Nasarawa now AIG in charge of Zone 9, Umuahia. His areas of jurisdiction include Abia, Imo, Enugu and Anambra commands.

    Commissioner of Police Usman Gwary is now in charge of the Anambra State Police Command.

    A statement issued yesterday by Force spokesman, Frank Mba, said the postings, which took immediate effect, were in line with the IGP’s efforts towards building a people friendly police.

    The statement added that the police high command was poised to ensure effective and efficient service delivery.

    Abubakar charged the affected officers to ensure that they step up the fight against crime and criminality.

    He also enjoined them to ensure that the safety and security of lives and property of the citizenry are not compromised in the discharge of their duties.

  • ‘Probe disruption of G-7 governors’ parley’

    The leadership of the New Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has called for a probe into the November 3 disruption of a meeting of the G-7 governors at the Kano State Governor’s Lodge at Asokoro, Abuja, by a Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Nnana Amah, a chief superintendent of Police (CSP).

    Amah stormed the Governor’s Lodge when the seven PDP factional governors were meeting. He reportedly said he was acting on “orders from above” to stop the meeting or get the governors arrested.

    Those at the meeting were: Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano), Sule Lamido (Jigawa), Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers), Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto), Babangida Aliyu (Niger), Murtala Nyako (Adamawa) and others.

    The factional party’s call for the probe is coming on the heels of a statement by Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Abubakar that he did send anyone to disrupt the meeting.

    In his submission before the House of Representatives’ Committee on Police Affairs last week, Abubakar said: “I want to state that neither myself nor any of my officers directed anybody to disrupt any meeting. But the officer has a duty to account for his actions and activities within his domain.”

    In a statement yesterday by the National Publicity Secretary of the New PDP, Chukwuemeka Eze, the party challenged the IG to prove his sincerity by instituting a probe into the incident.

    It said: “This is the only way to convince Nigerians that he (IG) had no hand in the brazen attempt by the Divisional Police Officer of Asokoro Division, CSP Nnanna Amah, to illegally terminate a legitimate gathering.

    “CSP Nnanna Amah, who had the temerity to threaten to arrest the G7 governors if they did not stop the meeting, claimed to be acting on orders from a higher authority from the Villa. Who is that authority in the Villa? Nigerians surely deserve to know.”

    It added: “We hope that the IG is not trying to hide behind a finger in this instance. We are just thinking aloud because the IG cannot claim ignorance of the impunity being perpetrated in Rivers State by the Commissioner of Police, Joseph Mbu, who has continued to be retained in that sensitive office, despite requests for his transfer by the Rivers State government, the National Assembly and many other eminent groups.

    “Is the IG trying to say that he can no longer control people working under him? That is an unsettling thought, in view of the implications for the maintenance of peace and security in the country.

    “We trust the IG’s competence and integrity but we urge him to sit up and take a stand on the side of truth and justice to avoid being seen as a threat to our fledgling democracy.

    “He should remember the type of support that both the G7 governors and other Nigerians gave him on his appointment and stop any further acts of impunity by the police.”

  • Falana threatens IG, others with contempt

    Falana threatens IG, others with contempt

    Activist lawyer Mr Femi Falana (SAN) has urged Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Adoke (SAN) to advise the Inspector-General of Police (IG) to desist from interfering with the fundamental rights of Nigerians to hold meetings and convene rallies.

    Reacting to the police cancellation of a colloquium on Freedom of Information convened by the Anti-Corruption Network, Falana threatened to file contempt proceedings against the IG and other police officers, who are allegedly treating the orders of the Federal High Court and the Court of Appeal with disrespect.

    The activist described the cancellation of the  colloquium scheduled to hold in Abuja by the police as a breach.

    He accused the police of dispersing all the local and international participants, including the Speaker of the House of Representatives as well as  the representatives of the Senate President, Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice,  the President of the National Industrial Court, the Chief Judge of the Federal Territory High Court, the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the chairman, National Orientation Agency and diplomats from several embassies who gathered for the event  at the NICON Luxury Hotel, Abuja.

    He pointed out that the Police, by their action, has once again given the dangerous impression that the Federal Government has declared a war against organisations and individuals that are committed to the fight against corruption and abuse of office in Nigeria.

    He drew the attention of the IG to the case of All Nigeria Peoples Party versus Inspector-General of Police (2006) to butress his point.

    He said: “Having regard to the break-up of meetings and disruption of peaceful rallies by the police in recent time, we are compelled to urge you to draw the attention of the Inspector-General of Police to the case of All Nigeria Peoples Party v. Inspector-General of Police (2006) CHR 181 where the Federal High Court (Per Chinyere J) granted the following orders:

    “1.That the requirement of the police permit or other authority for the holding of rallies or processions in Nigeria is illegal and unconstitutional as it violates section 40 of the 1999 Constitution and Article 11 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act (Cap 10) Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 1990.

    2. That the provisions of the Public Order Act (Cap 382) Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 1990, which require police permit or any other authority for the holding of rallies or processions in any part of Nigeria is illegal and unconstitutional as they contravene Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution and Article 7 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act (Cap 10) Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 1990.

    3.That the defendant is not competent under the Public Order Act (Cap 382) Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 1990 or under any law whatsoever to issue or grant permit for the holding of rallies or processions in any part of Nigeria.

    4.And I make an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendant whether by himself, his agents, privies and servants from further preventing the plaintiffs and other aggrieved citizens of Nigeria from organising or convening peaceful assemblies, meetings and rallies.”

    “Dissatisfied with the judgment of the Federal High Court the Inspector-General of Police filed an appeal at the Court of Appeal. In affirming the said judgment the Court of Appeal said inter alia:

    “If as speculated by law enforcement agents that breach of the peace would occur our Criminal Code has made adequate provisions for sanctions against breakdown of law and order so that the requirement of permit as a conditionality to holding meetings and rallies can no longer be justified in a democratic society.

    “Finally, freedom of speech and freedom of assembly are part of democratic rights of every citizen of the Republic; our legislature must guard these rights jealously as they are part of the foundation upon which the government itself rests.”