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Tag: IGP

  • Senate resolution an attempt to blackmail – IGP

    The Nigeria Police Force on Wednesday said that the Senate resolution declaring the Inspector-General of Police ( I-G), Mr Ibrahim Idris as enemy of democracy was a deliberate attempt  to blackmail him.

    The senate at plenary on Wednesday, declared the I-G as enemy of democracy and unfit to hold any public office within and outside the country for failing to honour its invitation thrice.

    The senate had refused the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in-charge of operations and other senior police officers to represent the I-G when he was invited on April 26.

    The Force spokesman, ACP Jimoh Moshood, in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday , described it as deliberate blackmail, witch-hunting, unfortunate and mischievous.

    Moshood said that under the provisions of the Police Act and Regulations, the I-G could delegate a Deputy or Assistant Inspector-General of Police to represent him in an official capacity at any function.

    He explained that Idris sent representatives because he was on an official assignment with the President of Federal Republic of Nigeria to Bauchi on same date.

    ” The delegated Officers went with a brief of the Inspector-General of Police on the matter to the senate but the Senate refused to listen to the Officers.

    He said that again on May 2, the senate refused to accord some senior officers delegated to represent the I-G when he was on an official duty to Birnin-Gwari area of Kaduna state.

    The spokesman said that the I-G on May 8, sent a letter to the President of the Senate explaining why he would not be appearing before the Senate on May 9.

    This he said was due to legal restraint as a result of pending cases before the courts filed by Sen. Dino Melaye against the I-G and the Nigeria Police Force.

    “It is pertinent that the Force informs the members of the Public that other reasons for which the Senate has summoned the Inspector-General of Police is official and not personal.

    “The action of the Senate in its resolution against the I-G today is a deliberate blackmail, witch-hunting with mischievous motives to hand-twist the I- G to pervert the end of Justice.

    “The Nigeria Police Force is the first defender of democracy and all democratic institutions in Nigeria and will continue to do so.

    ” It is factual and verifiable that Sen. Dino Melaye was discharged and certified fit to stand trial by the National Hospital, Abuja before he was arraigned in Chief Magistrate Courts in Wuse, Abuja and Lokoja,”he said.

    He said that the I-G and the Nigeria Police Force would not be deterred by blackmail from any individual or group no matter how highly placed from the enforcement of Law and Order.

    “The Nigeria Police Force, therefore, owes no apology to any individual or groups in its effort to ensure preservation of law and order and supremacy of the law of the land, “he said.

    Moshood implored the public to disregard and discountenance the resolution of the Senate on the I-G.

    “The Nigeria Police Force as a law abiding organization will continue to hold the Senate of Federal Republic of Nigeria in high esteem but wishes to impress on the Senate not to harbour criminal elements among its fold or condone criminality.

    “The Force will not be intimidated by any individual, groups or institution, constituent or otherwise to abdicate from its constitutional responsibilities of protection of lives and property,”he said.(NAN)

  • IGP gets petition on land dispute

    Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris has been urged to intervene in an alleged threat to life following a court’s verdict in a land dispute in Ondo town.

    The Adetokunbo family, in a petition by their lawyers, Uroko Agada and Adejumola Ajayi, sent to the IGP and Assistant Inspector-General (AIG) Zone 11, accused Mrs. Folake Adepetun and five others of threatening their members, following a High Court judgment in their favour.

    The petition, attached to the judgment of an Ondo High Court, reads: “Complaints of threat to life, criminal trespass, assault occasioning harm, unlawful possession of firearms, hostage taking/kidnapping, attempted murder and conduct likely to cause breach of the peace in the community.

    “Our client’s family (Adetokunbo family) are the bona fide owners of the land situated at Italurowo-Ondo according to the Ondo High Court judgment delivered by Justice Bode Adegbehingbe on June 6, 2017.

    “On April 12, our client had a case in court with the Alasin family and the matter was adjourned till April 24. As soon as the Alasin family left the court premises, they went to the land with hoodlums, who armed themselves with weapons.

    “The hoodlums stormed the land and manhandled the bricklayers and other workers. Two of our clients were tortured, while they stole a gold necklace, worth about N150,000.”

     

     

     

     

     

  • Senate defeats IGP Idris in court

    The suit filed by the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Ibrahim Idris, alleging violation of his fundamental human rights by the Senate has been dismissed by the court.

    Justice Abba-Bello Muhammad of the FCT High Court, Jabi, on Tuesday said that the suit lacked merit.

    The judge said that Section 88 and 89 of the Nigeria’s Constitution empowers the lawmakers to carry out investigations on issues of public interest.

    Joined in the suit are the Senate President Bukola Saraki; Sen. Isah Misau and members of the ad-hoc committee that heard complaints of financial misappropriation levelled against the Police.

    The judge said that the I-G failed to establish the element that constituted infringement on his fundamental human rights as he alleged against the Senate.

    “His right has not been infringed to require the court’s intervention, inviting the applicant is a mere invitation to shed more light on the allegations levelled against him.

    ” More so, the Police Act also empowers the Police to carry out investigation about itself which the Police was already doing as at the time the allegations were raised,” the judge said.

    The I-G had approached the court seeking a declaration that the investigative activities of the Senate Ad-Hoc Committee breached his rights as the Head of the Police Force.

    He also sought for a declaration that his invitation to appear before the ad-hoc committee based on Sen. Misau’s petition was also a violation of his rights. (NAN)

  • IGP seeks traditional rulers, stakeholders collaboration to fight crime

    The Inspector General of Police, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, has called on traditional rulers and community leaders to collaborate with the Police to fight crime in the country.

    The police boss made the call during a meeting with traditional rulers, religious leaders and other stakeholders in Jalingo the Taraba state capital yesterday.

    He said crime rate had reduced in the state, but called on traditional rulers and others to partner with the police to rid the state of crime.

    He emphasised the role of traditional institutions in complementing the efforts of security operatives in crime control.

    He said     the visit was to sensitise the people to the need for unity and peaceful coexistence and also educate them on the importance of community policing.

    The police chief attributed the modest achievements of the force in crime fighting to the support of traditional rulers and called for more cooperation to record more successes.

    Idris added that he had directed the deployment of additional mobile units to the state to checkmate crime effectively.

    He said there was need for community partnership, to enable police to locate all the hideouts of hoodlums.

    “We will always protect our source of information and we promise to act in accordance with the rule of engagement; so I call on all stakeholders to see us as partners in progress,” he said.

    The Chairman, Council of Traditional rulers, Aku-Uka Wukari, Dr Shekarau Masa’ibi, praised the Inspector-General of Police over tough measures adopted to tackle crime in the country.

    “The emergence of Idris as IGP has brought renewed vigour to the fight against crime. Officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force are now more committed to ensuring a crime-free Nigeria,” he said

    He appealed to the police to do everything possible to curb the menace of crime and criminality

    The monarch also advised Nigerians to support the force with information to ease the war against violence.

     

  • Police suspends withdrawal of VIPs’ policemen

    The Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris,  has suspended by one month, the withdrawal of  policemen attached to VIPs across the country.

    The suspension of the order, which was billed to be immediate, when announced on Monday, followed Idris’ meeting with the Commanders of Police Mobile Force (PMF), Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU) and Special Protection Unit (SPU).

    The meeting was held on 20 March. But a day before the earlier announcement, Idris also had met with  state police commissioners and assistant inspectors-general at the Force Headquarters in Abuja.

    Police spokesman, Jimoh Moshood, explained the twist in Idris’ order.

    “IGP Idris has graciously shifted the enforcement/implementation of the withdrawal of Police Officers attached to Political and Public Office Holders, VIPs, Public and Private Companies and other categories of enterprises and business outfits and corporate individuals throughout the country as earlier directed”, said Jimoh Moshood, the police spokesman.

    “The withdrawal will now take effect from the 20th of April, 2018. This is to enable the Force carry out a thorough assessment of the current deployment and carry out appropriate withdrawal.

    Moshood also said that the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Department of Operations of the Force has been mandated by the Inspector General of Police to direct all the Commissioners of Police and their supervising Assistant Inspectors-General of Police in the States and Zonal Commands across the country to halt the withdrawal, revise and return those already withdrawn to their duty posts pending the new date of 20th of April, 2018.

    “ The Task Force Teams set up by the IGP at the Force Headquarters, the Force X – Squad and others set up by the Assistant Inspectors-General of Police and Commissioner of Police at the Zonal and State Commands have equally been directed by the Inspector-General of Police to suspend the enforcement of the withdrawal with immediate effect pending the new date.

    “For avoidance of doubt, members of the Public, Political and Public Office Holders, VIPs, Public and Private Companies and other categories of enterprises and business outfits and corporate individuals and other entities are to retain the Police Officers currently with them on deployment. They may be provided after the expiration of the period, if found worthy from the Special Protection Unit of the Force but should apply for re-validation through the Commissioner of Police of the State they are domiciled before the expiration of the new date of 20th April, 2018.

    “The renewed commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to guarantee protection of lives and property across the country remains unequivocal and unwavering”, Moshood said.

  • EFCC’s investigator petitions IGP over arrest of four cousins by Nasarawa Police Command

    A key investigator of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Abubakar Aliyu Madaki has petitioned Inspector-General of Police Ibrahim Idris over the arrest and prosecution of cousins on alleged trumped-up charges by the Nasarawa Police Command.

    He alleged that his cousins were allegedly framed up because a businessman was arrested by the EFCC.

    He said the businessman, who had accused t him of being behind his arrest, was allegedly on a revenge mission.

    He said his cousins had been taken to prison for committing no offence.

    Madaki claimed that his cousins were put in prison because the businessman accused them of plotting to kill him and for allegedly disrupting the peace in Gunduma Village.

    The EFCC operative lodged his protest to the IG through a petition by his lawyer, Mahmud Abubakar Magaji (SAN).

    The petition said in part: “Based on a petition by an unknown whistle-blower against one Alhaji Abdulhamid Mahmud Zari of Kaduna Road, opposite Gunduma Garage, Gunduma, Karu LGA, Nasarawa State, he was arrested by the EFCC sometime in March 2017 for some alleged offences.

    However shortly after his release on bail by the EFCC, he accused our client (Abubakar Aliyu Madaki) of being the whistleblower that reported him to EFCC.

    He openly vowed to some people that know our client that he would fight our client. Sequel to Zari’s complaint to the Nasarawa State Police Command, our client was arrested on or about the 24th June 2017, a day before Sallah and taken to Lafia but later released on bail.

    “Given that Zari was not happy with his arrest, he framed injurious falsehood against our client and some of his cousins alleging that our client had planned with his cousins/ relatives namely:  Yahaya Balarabe, Tanko Jibrin, Shehu Jibrin and Hashimu Ibrahim to kill him and disrupt public peace in Gunduma

    “In executing his sinister plans, Zari came with the Deputy Commissioner of Police to our client’s community and arrested his cousins.

    “Sadly, our client’s cousins were arrested, manhandled and taken to Zari’s house where they were detained and compelled to implicate our client but they refused.”

    The EFCC investigator said following his initial protest, the IGP directed that the case file be brought to the Force Headquarters from Nasarawa Command for a “thorough investigation.”

    He said the file was later sent to Lafia for prosecution but he did not have faith in the Nasarawa State Police Command.

    He said the Force Headquarters recommended that the “businessman(Zari) be charged for giving false information while some of our client’s cousin and the boys engaged by Zari to foment trouble in Gunduma be charged for breaching public peace.

    Following his protest over lack of faith in Nasarawa State Police Command,  the file was brought back to Abuja and sent to the Director of Public Prosecution, Federal Ministry of Justice.

    He said while awaiting the DPP’s advice, the Nasarawa Police command only arraigned his cousins in court and spared the businessman and the thugs he allegedly used to cause trouble in Gunduma.

    The petition added: “Based on police hierarchy of command, one would have expected that once a case file is transferred from the State Command to the Force Headquarter for further and thorough investigation that the report of investigation from the Force Headquarters will supersede any other investigation report from the state command.

    “However, we are surprised that in utter disrespect to the authority of IGP, the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Nasarawa State decided to dump the report from the Force Headquarters and charged our client and his relatives with criminal offences before the High Court of Nasarawa State.”

    A police source said: “The petitioner was insincere. There was breach of peace in Gunduma Village involving attack on the businessman (Zari) and his cousins were arrested and prosecuted.

    “If you commit an offence in Nasarawa, the appropriate place for trial is the affected state. We cannot arraign the investigator’s cousin in Abuja. As a matter of fact, the DPP of the Federal Ministry of Justice has nothing to do with the case.

    “The Nasarawa State Police Command is not frivolous. It was a pure case of communal clash.We conducted investigation and charged the suspects to a High Court. In exercising discretion, the court remanded the suspects in prison.We allowed justice to take its course.”

     

  • Court adjourns contempt charges against IGP to April 17th

    Justice Slyvanus Orji  of the FCT High Court sitting in Apo has adjourned a contempt charge seeking to commit the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris to two years imprisonment for persistent violation of court order issued in 2014 to April 17 for hearing.

    The trial judge who adjourned the matter to the date however, imposed a fine of N5,000 on the IGP for filing his counter affidavit out of time and which caused the adjournment of the hearing of the charge.

    At the resumed hearing of the charge yesterday, counsel to the police chief, Mr Seidu Jubril told Justice Orji that the contemptor, had disengaged with a counsel, O.M. Atoyebi.

    Jubril further told the court that the Commissioner of Police in charge of Legal Services, Mr. David Igbodo is to henceforth represent IGP and that he had on Monday filed a counter affidavit against the originating summon.

    A drama however ensued when Justice Oriji demanded for the whereabouts of the IGP, Idris, who was ordered to personally appear before the court yesterday.

    The counsel who was taken aback by the demand informed the judge that the IGP was out of Abuja at the time he was leaving office.

    The judge, who was not pleased with the explanation of the counsel, threw up another question as to whether the IGP was not aware that he ought to be in court today, but the counsel promised to convey the court’s feeling to the appropriate authority.

    Counsel to the Peace Corps, Mr. Nweze Okechukwu, who initiated the contempt charge against the IGP faulted the police chief for failure to obtain leave of the court to regularize the counter affidavit that was filed out of time.

    At this stage counsel to the IGP agreed that he needed leave of the court and applied to the court for an adjournment which the court granted with a fine of N5, 000.

    Justice Orji subsequently adjourned till April 17 for hearing of the matter.

    At the last adjourned date the Judge while delivering his ruling ordered the IGP to be in court yesterday, to show cause why he should not be committed to prison for his disobedience to the lawful order of the court made on March 26, 2014 stopping Police from interfering with the activities of the Peace Corps.

    In his preliminary objection against the contempt charge argued by his counsel Mr. David Igbodo, the IGP claimed that he was not personally served with form 48 in relation to the contempt charge.

    He prayed the court to void the contempt charge and set it aside on the ground that the form 48 summoning him to appear in court was served on the commissioner of Police in charge of legal matters at the Force Headquarters.

    But Justice Orji in his ruling slammed the IGP for employing technicality and delay tactics to frustrate the charge against him.

    The Judge imposed a fine of N25,000 on the Police Chief and ordered him to personally appear in court on the adjourned date.

    The Peace Corps of Nigeria through its counsel Dr. Joshua Yakubu Musa,(SAN) had approached the Abuja High Court to praying it to commit the IGP Idris to prison for two years for flouting the judgment of the court delivered on March 26, 2014.

    The Senior Counsel submitted that in spite of the restraining order against Police not to interfere with operations of the Corps court, the police have refused to obey the court order by sealing up its head office among others.

    The counsel claimed that since March 26, 2014 when the court verdict was handed down, the police have neither appealed against the judgment nor allowed the rule of law to prevail.

    In the 2014 judgment, Police was fined N12.5m as compensation for the principal officers and men of the corps who were arbitrarily arrested across the country and detained in various cells.

    The proscription order placed on the corps by Police was also voided and set aside by the court in the 2014 judgment on the ground that the defendants (Police) have no power under the law to ban or proscribe any organization, including the Peace Corps lawfully registered by the federal government as a youth organization.

    It will be recalled that a former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mr. Kanu Agabi SAN had filed another contempt charge against the Police boss for disobeying the federal high court order that Police should unseal the Peace Corps office in Abuja.

    The new judgment was handed down by Justice John Tsoho of the federal high court Abuja.

     

     

  • IGP orders re-arrest of sodomy suspect

    IGP orders re-arrest of sodomy suspect

    The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, has ordered the re-arrest of a 17-year-old pupil of St Joseph’s College, Ondo, who was accused of sodomising an eight-year-old son of an Ondo-based journalist.

    The victim’s father, Lanre Duyile, had cried out that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) at Fagun Police Station, Ondo town, where the case was reported, tried to subvert justice by releasing the suspect.

    He contacted a Lagos-based Non- Government Organisation (NGO), CEE-HOPE, which provided funds for the boy’s treatment and began a campaign for justice.

    Sources said the IGP ordered Ondo State Commissioner of Police (CP) Gbenga Adeyanju to effect the teenager’s arrest, following a report by the media.

    On Monday, the suspect, Duyile and his son were summoned to the CP’s office alongside the DPO.

    The suspect was re-arrested and plans are on to arraign him this week.

    The Nation learnt that the DPO could not make it to Akure, he sent the Divisional Crime Officer (DCO) and Investigating Police Officer (IPO), who gave information to officers at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID).

    Police spokesman Femi Joseph confirmed the re-arrest of the suspect.

    He said: “The CP ordered that the case be transferred to the SCID for investigation. The boy has been re-arrested. We can assure you that justice will be done.”

    Duyile, who described the meeting as fruitful, said he has been directed to provide the medical report of the examination conducted on his son.

    He hailed the IGP and CP for intervening, as well as Nigerians for their support.

    Duyile said: “I thank Nigerians for assisting me. I’m grateful to CEE-HOPE for spearheading the campaign, The Nation and others for giving me a voice at this trying time. I am confident that I will get justice.”

    CEE-HOPE’s Executive Director Betty Abah hailed the speed with which the police responded to the case, especially the progress made on the case on the order of the IGP and CP that the suspect be re-arrested and arraigned.

    She said: “We have no doubt that the justice system will act, no matter the delay and stumbling block.

    “We are happy that the IG, CP and other stakeholders have responded. We are hopeful to get justice. We will continue to support the victim and his family.”

    Besides the police authority, political office holders have also reached out to Duyile.

    They promised to ensure justice is done.

  • Sack IGP Now! Reps tell Buhari

    Sack IGP Now! Reps tell Buhari

    The House of Representatives on Wednesday told the President Muhammadu Buhari to replace the present Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris with a more professional officer.

    The lawmakers were of the opinion that the IGP, due to his utterances, actions and inactions can no longer be trusted to conduct his job in an apolitical manner, and thereby putting the lives of Nigerians in jeopardy.

    Two motions of urgent national importance presented by two members of the House of Representatives on Wednesday culminated in the vote of no confidence on the number one cop.

    The first was by Mark Gbillah, APC Benue titled ” Motion in the derogatory statement by the Police PRO against an executive Governor of a state and the seeming unwillingness of the Inspector General of Police to recognize and enforce a constitutionally enacted law by an executive arm of government,”

    The second motion was by Abubarkar Dannuram with the titled “motion on need to curb thuggery development in political activities in Kano and Nigeria in general,”

    Gbillah’s motion chronicled the inability of the Police Boss to perform up to par in the wake of the killing of 73 indigenes of Benue state and the utterance of the IGP before a Senate committee that the Open Grazing Prohibition Law by the Benue State House of Assembly was responsible for the killings by Fulani Herdsmen and that the state government should scrap the law.

    The motion also spoke of the alleged derogatory statement made by the Police Public Relations Officer, Jimoh Moshood, who called the Executive Governor of Benue State ” a drowning man ” on television .

    The lawmaker thereafter called on the House call on the IGP to apologize to the Benue State Governor over the derogatory statement of the Police PRO and relieve him of his duties immediately, and to mandate the relevant committee to investigate the alleged statements made by the IGP’s and the implications to his ability to superintend the resolution of the killings in Benue and other parts of the country if found to be true.

    But Danburam’s motion which alleged that the Nigerian Police and other security agencies have turned a blind eyes to illegal acts of terror being perpetuated in Kano and other parts of Nigeria was the turning point in yesterday’s critical resolution of the House.

    His prayers were to invite the IGP and Kano State Commissioner of Police to give account of what happened in Kano State and direct them both to provide measure against thuggery in Kano State.

    But this quickly changed when Hon. John Dyegh ( APC Benue ) moved an amendment that it was evident from the slant of arguments, discussions and presentation on the floor that members have lost confidence in the Inspector- General of Police. This, he said, should be one of the prayers of Danburam’s motion.

    The Speaker of the House, Hon. Yakubu Dogara thereafter asked the members if that was what they wanted and all members on the floor responded in the affirmative.

    He subsequently to this to a vote, and the House overwhelming passed a vote on no confidence in the Inspector- General of Police.

  • Tension as six members distance selves from Reps’ call for IGP’s removal

    Tension as six members distance selves from Reps’ call for IGP’s removal

    The unity in the House of Representatives suffered a setback yesterday as six  members distanced themselves from the resolution of the House calling for the removal of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris from office.

    The House had earlier yesterday adopted a motion of urgent national importance where they opined that the IGP, due to his utterances, actions and inactions can no longer be trusted to conduct his job in an apolitical manner, and thereby putting the lives of Nigerians in jeopardy.

    However, Johnson Agbonayinma (APC, Edo), Abdullahi Mahmud Gaya (APC, Kano), Muhammad Sani Abdul (APC, Bauchi), Ayuba Bello (APC, Borno), Abubakar Chika Adamu (APC, Niger) and Basir Babale (APC, Kano) promptly disagreed with their colleagues, saying that the decision of the House did not follow due process. 

    The lawmakers promised to move for the the rescission of the resolution, adding that most members played to the gallery at the resolution thereby denying the IGP a fair hearing.

    Read Also: IGP orders arrest of IBB’s media aide

    At a press briefing, the six lawmakers said their position against the resolution of the House to sack the IGP will be presented to the House in form of a motion.

    Agbonayinma, who spoke on behalf of the others said, “The motion on Kano did not go down well with some of us. The Speaker has always guided the House and tried his best, but all of us played to the galary. We should be fair to all.

    “On the issue that IGP should be replaced, I  think we were too in a rush, the motion should have been refered to a Committee.

    “Every Nigerian has a right to fair hearing. The issue should have been investigated. Not only me but some of our colleagues were not too happy with the resolution. 

    “Some of us are going forward to rescind the decision. We were not fair to the IGP”.

    For emphasis, Agbonayinma said the group will not waste a moment to sponsor a motion to rescind the decision, “This is because a decision on a critical actor in enforcement of our laws without thorough investigation would be uncomplimentary to the position of this hallowed chamber, known for fairness, equity and good purpose”, he added.

    According to the lawmaker,  the title of the motion will be “The House rescind the resolution from the motion on the need to curb thuggery in political activities in Kano and Nigeria in general and refer to the relevant communities for proper investigations and report back to the House within four (4) weeks for further legislative action.”