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Tag: IGP

  • IGP: rules forgery beyond Senate

    IGP: rules forgery beyond Senate

    The last may not have been heard of the Senate Standing Orders 2015 forgery, which a court has described as the upper chamber’s internal affair.

    Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Solomon Arase believes the allegations are criminal matters, which the police cannot be restrained from investigating.

    According to him, any issue affecting the integrity of the National Assembly and the country is beyond what could be left with  Senators to address.

    Also, the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) has said it has the police’s report on the allegation and will soon begin its execution .

    It queried the powers of the court to restrain either the police or the AGF from performing their statutory responsibilities.

    The IGP’s and AGF’s position are contained in their separate notices of preliminary objection filed in a suit initiated by Senator Gilbert Nnaji.

    Nnaji is seeking among others, to restrain the police from proceeding with its investigation of the forgery allegation and to also stop the AGF from prosecuting any person indicted in the report.

    Justice Gabriel Kolawole, at the resumed hearing in the case on Tuesday, said the National Assembly should be allowed to handle the Standing Orders forgery internally.

    But the IGP stated that by the investigation so far conducted, it has been discovered that the Senate was operating on a forged Standing Orders because there was no evidence that the 2011 Orders were ever amended before the introduction of the 2015 Orders.

    In the objection deposed to by an official of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), Joshua Yohanna, the IGP stated that “the matter at hand is not simply an issue on the floor of the National Assembly. The matter at hand raises issues of criminality. The 1st defendant owes Nigerians the duty to unearth the truth behind the allegations of forgery.

    “There are allegations of forgery of the Senate Standing Orders against some principal officers of the Senate. It is these allegations that the 1st respondent is poised to investigate. Forgery is a criminal Allegation. It is only investigation that can prove whether the case of forgery is true or false.

    “There was no time the current Senate sat to pass the 2015 Standing Orders. Senators were, at the inauguration, just handed a document from the blues titled: Senate Standing Orders 2015 (as amended).

    “There was never any amendment of the 2011 orders by the immediate past Senate. Certain orders of the said 2015 amended Orders are inconsistent with the 2011 Orders.

    “There was never a notice written, calling for such amendment. Senators, who are complaining were never consulted before any such amendment.

    “The 1st defendant has a duty and responsibility to investigate all allegations of crime. To determine whether allegations of forgery are made out, who committed the said forgery and if there is forgery at all in the first place.

    “Investigating the allegations and determining the culpability or otherwise of the alleged culprits will lead to a just conclusion of the matter. Non-investigation of the allegations will engender mistrust among the disputing sides.

    “The 1st defendant is neutral in this matter. It has not taken sides, will not take sides and does not take sides on issues of this nature at all. Every Nigerian citizen can be investigated in all civilized countries, Nigeria inclusive.

    “No senator, not even the distinguished Senator Kabiru Marafa has disrupted the proceedings of the Senate since July 28, 2015 till date. Investigating allegation of forgery can only strengthen the integrity of the Senate and the Senate leadership. The 1st defendant’s duty will be impeded by the grant of the reliefs sought.

    “The plaintiff is neither the Senate President, the Deputy Senate President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives. Nor is he an officer of the Senate.

    “He is not aggrieved. He is not interested in this matter; he is not accused of forging the amended Senate Standing Orders.

    “The present Senate has not enacted any Standing Orders yet. As at the time of inauguration of this present Senate, no Standing Orders had been made.

    “Till such Standing Orders have so far been made. The practice is that, at inauguration, the incoming Senate uses the Standing Orders of the preceding Senate. The immediate past Senate did not amend the 2011 Standing Orders. The 2011 Standing Orders have not yet been amended.

    “The plaintiff cannot prove that the so-called 2015 Standing Orders were passed by the preceding Senate. The So-called 2015 Standing Orders were never made nor passed by the immediate past senate.

    The new Senate has not passed any Standing Orders. It is the 2011 Standing Orders of the Senate that should be used.

    “The former Senate President did not pass any 2015 Standing Orders. The present Senate President was not in a position to have passed the 2015 Senate Standing Orders before his inauguration. The extant Senate Standing Orders are the 2011 Orders.

    “It is only after inauguration that the current Senate could pass the Standing Orders. What he (the plaintiff) is bandying about is not an authorised Senate Standing Orders. The so-called 2015 Senate Standing Orders are forged.

    “It is at the conclusion of investigation that 1st Defendant can determine whether the Standing Orders are founded or unfounded. There are two Senate Standing Orders, one 2011, the other, 2015. The 2011 orders were used to govern the immediate past Senate.”

    The office of the AGF said charges will soon be filed against those found culpable in relation to the Senate Rule forgery.

    Head of Civil Litigation, Federal Ministry of Justice, Taiwo Abidogun, told the court on Tuesday that the investigation report has been submitted to the ministry by the police.

    He said the report “is waiting our execution. So, I do not know what the plaintiff wants to stay. He cannot stay a completed act.”

    The AGF argued, in its objection, that the plaintiff lacked the locus standi  (right to sue) to initiate the suit. It noted that by his averments, Nnaji has betrayed his true intention, which is to protect the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.

    It contended that it was only Ekweremadu and others, who feel their interests or rights would be affected by police investigation of the forgery allegation that could validly sue.

    The AGF Office said: “We submit that the plaintiff can only seek declarations in court if he can establish that he has suffered or is going to suffer any injury on account of the investigation.

    “This is a suit that should rightly be instituted by the Senate as an entity or better still by Senator Ike Ekweremadu, whom, by the plaintiff’s affidavit, at paragraph 27, is identified as the ultimate target of the petition.”

    The AGF argued that the court lacked the powers to “validly restrain other departments of government from carrying out their functions. The law is trite that where the plaintiff lacks the locus standi to institute a matter, reliefs and orders sought cannot stand.”

  • IGP warns against attacks on police stations

    IGP warns against attacks on police stations

    The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase, has warned against the spate of attacks and foiled arson attempts at some police stations and formations in the country.

    This is contained in a statement issued by CP Emmanuel Ojukwu, the Force Public Relations Officer, in Abuja on Tuesday.

    He said that an attack on a police station was a criminal offence, adding that any person involved in such act would face the full wrath of the law.

    Arase warned members of the public on the unsavoury implications of such inappropriate behaviour.

    The IGP directed all field commanders to secure their stations and formations and to use every reasonable force permitted by law to protect such facilities.

    He advised Nigerians to explore all available channels to air their grieviances

    “Members of the public are advised to explore available and appropriate channels to ventilate their grievances.

  • Family urges IGP to probe son’s death in detention

    Family urges IGP to probe son’s death in detention

    The family of Benson Obode, who died in police custody on May 21, has urged Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Solomon Arase to set up an independent investigative panel on how Benson died.

    Benson, 26, was arrested by four policemen from the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in Lagos State for allegedly buying a stolen car estimated at N5.5 million.

    It took the family 63 days to know that Benson was killed the day he was arrested and his body deposited at the Benin Central Hospital same day.

    The four policemen, who arrested the late Benson are: Oniyo Musa, Adeleke Adedeji, Henry Shobowale and Abena John.

    They have been arrested and will soon be taken to Benin, the Edo State capital, according to police sources.

    The petition to Arase was signed by counsel to the family, Philip Okoh.

    The late Benson’s family urged the police chief to investigate the role of Edo and Lagos police commissioners, including the SARS divisions in both states.

    It was gathered that several “victims” of the four policemen’s alleged brutality in Edo State had started filing petitions at the police headquarters.

     

  • Reps to IGP: reopen Dele Giwa, Ige, Rewane, other killings

    Reps to IGP: reopen Dele Giwa, Ige, Rewane, other killings

    House of Representatives yesterday directed the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Mr. Solomon Arase to reopen investigations into unresolved cases of high profile political and extra-judicial killings in the country.

    The purpose of the reopening, according to the House, was to bring the culprits of the unresolved killings to justice.

    The resolution of the House was sequel to the adoption of the prayers of a motion by a member, Kingsley ChindaIn, entitled: “Need to Undertake Further Investigations into Cases of Extra-Judicial Killings and Other High Profile Murders”.

    When the Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, called for a vote, the motion which was overwhelmingly supported by members and consequently adopted by the House, was referred to the committees on Police Affairs, Public Safety and National Security (when constituted).

    The committees are to monitor the investigations of the cases and present an interim report to the House within four weeks.

    Chinda, while presenting the motion, noted that the extrajudicial killings were allegedly being carried out by men of the police and personnel of some other security agencies as well as unknown gunmen.

    The lawmaker urged the police to be more alive to their responsibilities in the prevention of crimes and proper investigation.

    Chinda expressed concern that the efforts of successive governments in tackling the problem of extrajudicial and other high-profile killings had largely been ineffectual and short of the expectations of Nigerians.

    According to him, people now live in fear and despair because the trend had continued unabated.

    Chinda said the several cases of extra-judicial and unsolved killings in the country included the killings of Dele Giwa, Alfred Rewane, Bola Ige and Funso Williams as well as some traders at Apo (popularly known as Apo Six), invasion by mobile policemen and armed soldiers of Ogoni land and Odi community in Bayelsa and others.

  • IGP to Abuja drivers: Register your vehicles or face clamp down

    IGP to Abuja drivers: Register your vehicles or face clamp down

    The Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase has given Abuja commercial drivers two weeks ultimatum to get proper form of identification for their vehicles or face clamp down.

    The IGP explained that the move is necessary following the rate of insecurity in the country.

    This was disclosed in Abuja Thursday when the national excos of the National Union of Road Transport workers visited him in the Force Headquarters.

    The IGP said: “For now, the clamp down is restricted to Abuja, and it is because Abuja is more cosmopolitan and the complaints we receive are more prevalent in Abuja and that is why we want to clamp down on Abuja quickly before it becomes a nuisance.

    “In Abuja, I think we have a very serious problem, there are lots of kabu kabu drivers on the highway and you will agree with me that when we have issues of insurgency that we have in this country, it could be very dangerous so there must be a way of attacking those vehicles that are not properly registered to avoid calamity.

    He added: “‎I give the drivers  the grace of two weeks, after two weeks, we will start clamping down on all vehicles that ply the highway in FCT without proper identification because we want orderliness.‎ The drivers should either use a particular colour of paint or stickers as form of identification so that our work will be easy for us.

    The IGP while sympathising with the Union over the lives of members that were lost in areas hit by insurgency urged the union to also embrace security in motorparks.

    The Police boss said: “Motor parks should ensure that members register and that when it is time for them to renew their papers that they are also guided on how to go about it. We will also ensure that the parks are well secured.

    Responding, the President of NURTW, Alhaji Najeem Yasin assured the IGP that his members will comply with the directive.

    “We can achieve it in two weeks because we have the members and they will call all other members in FCT to order.”

  • Agents petition IGP over practitioners’ fees row

    Agents petition IGP over practitioners’ fees row

    THE Association of Nigerian  Customs and Licensing Agents (ANCLA) has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), protesting the new fees regime at the ports,’ The Nation has learnt.

    ANCLA’s petition, it was learnt, followed the Federal Ministry of Transport’s directive to the Council for the Registration of Freight Forwarders in Nigeria (CRFFN) to collect Practitioners Operation Fees (POF) at seaports, airports and borders.

    The order, it was learnt, varies with the agreement reached by the five freight forwarders and the CRFFN when they were invited to Abuja by the police on July 2.

    In a July 22 letter, obtained by The Nation, ANCLA alleged that some individuals were planning to disrupt the peace at the ports, urging the IGP to place his officers on red alert.

    The letter, signed by ANCLA reads: “At an interview, which was held in your office with all parties involved in attendance, it was agreed that all actions towards the commencement of the collection of the POF should be suspended, while efforts should be intensified to ensure that election is held into the Governing Council of the CRFFN. This is sequel to all acknowledging that the governing council is imperative for a complete CRFFN as approved for in its Act 16 of 2007.

    “Surprisingly, we received a letter from the Federal Ministry of Transport purporting to authorise the immediate commencement of POF collection.

    “We, therefore, wish to call your attention to this apparent reneging on the agreement reached in your office and the threats it portends to the freight forwarding industry,” Oparah said.

    ANCLA’s National President, Prince Olayiwola Shittu, told The Nation that association’s board has ordered its members to resist any attempt to collect the fees from them since the election and composition into the Governing Council of the CRFFN as required by its Act are yet to be met.

    He said ANCLA had sued CRFFN over the plan to circumvent the law setting up the Council.

    Meanwhile, ANCLA’s National Publicity Secretary Dr Kayode Farinto has raised the alarm over the appointment of a consulting firm to collect the fees

    Farinto also alleged that the firm would retain 40 per cent of the fees.

    “We have just received information that there was an arrangement to give a company the collection of the controversial POF. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with the firm was that the company will collect 40 per cent of the money generated.

    “Some of those behind this company are high-ranking officers in the Ministry of Transport. That is why they are insisting that the POF must be collected by all means,” Farinto alleged.

     

  • IGP warns against extortion of citizens

    IGP warns against extortion of citizens

    The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Solomon Arase has warned officers and men of the force against extorting money from citizens of the country on the highways.

    The IGP also warned his men against what he called commercialization of bail application.

    The Police boss gave the warning to his men while addressing men and officers of the Plateau Police Command Thursday.

    According to Arase, “Let me caution personnels of the force to desist from molesting or extorting the public on the course of duties particularly at check points or with bail application.

    He said; “Under my watch, I would not allow my officers to trample on the rights of the public, and I encouraged the general public to make formal complain to my office if any police officer attempt to infringe on your rights.

    “The ban on road block still stands but stops and search will continue without blocking the roads.

    “I want the police men and women to go about their professional duties diligently while you live the issue of welfare to me. I have made a stern promise that I am committed to the welfare and the protection of the men of the Police force in the country.

    The IGP, who reiterate the commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari towards the welfare of officers, assured the police that the force under his command will encourage men to embrace school which is important in meeting with the current security realities in the country.

    The IGP announced that his office will pick up the medical bill of N400, 000 to an officer who undergoes surgical operation in his jawbone.

    He tasked Divisional Police Officers and the divisional crime officers to give listening ears to those under them.

    In a welcome address, Commissioner of Police, Plateau state command, Mr. Nasiru Oki informed the IGp that the command in the state need additional command in the Central zone of the state for efficient policing upon calls.

    According to him; “the state only have two command in the Northern zone and the Southern zone of the state which is not enough. The Command also needs a transit camp to reduce officers been stranded, sleeping in the headquarters while on transit.

    The IGP later held a meeting with stakeholders in the state at the police officers mess over the issues of peace and security of the state before proceeding to the Police staff college Jos to address officer graduating from a professional course in the college.

  • Eid-el Fitr: IGP orders water-tight security nationwide

    Eid-el Fitr: IGP orders water-tight security nationwide

    In a bid to ensure hitch-free Sallah celebrations, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Solomon Arase has asked Command Commissioners of Police nationwide to ensure water-tight security during and after the celebrations.

    The police boss noted that during the celebration, special attention be paid to places of worship, critical public places and other vulnerable points prone to criminal attack.

    This is contained in a statement on Wednesday by the Force Spokesman, Emmanuel Ojukwu.

    The IGP, who complimented the Muslim faithfuls as they round off the Ramadan fast, enjoined them and other citizens to maintain utmost vigilance.

    He further urged all citizens to continue to support the Police and provide useful information towards preventing and discovering crimes and their perpetrators.

  • Human rights violation: Businessman drags IGP, others to court

    Human rights violation: Businessman drags IGP, others to court

    A businessman, Gbenga Ajugu, has sued the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Solomon Arase, over the alleged infringement of his rights by personnel of the Force Intelligence Bureau Annexe (FIB), Obalende, Lagos.

    Ajugu, the Managing Director of Microdigits Computers and Allied Services, instituted the suit before an Ikeja High Court after the police officers allegedly impounded his car and other valuable documents for over three months, to favour his business partner and M.D. Krypton Technologies, Sijuade Adewunmi.

    Joined as respondents with the IGP in the suit are the Commissioner of Police; one ACP Bankole; CSP Lawal; the Investigating Police Officer ( IPO) Siji Ogunniyi; Inspector Akindele of FIB; Krypton Technologies, Sijuade Adewunmi, as well as former employees of Microdigits, Ayodele Alade, Monsuru Aregbe and Akinyemi Olushola.

    Microdigits,  a firm that specialises in the installation of Close Circuit Television (CCTV), fire alarm gadgets among others, last year entered into partnership with Krypton technologies to render its services at a hotel in Abeokuta, Ogun State, where Krypton secured a contract.

    Following the satisfaction derived from the services rendered, another contract was awarded but disagreement over who would supply the gadgets for the new contract made the duo fall apart.

    The police had arrested and detained Ajugu as well as confiscated his properties and other documents following allegations by Adewunmi that he was owing him N2.5 million, just as they threatened to deal with him should he not pay the said debt.

    Ajugu who alleged that the FIB men were simply acting out a script written by Adewunmi with the directive of a Commissioner of Police (CP), said if the law enforcement agency had done their investigation,  they would have discovered that it was Adewunmi who was owing him.

    Alleging threats to life, Ajugu claimed Adewunmi had physically threatened to deal with him, accusing the police of perpetrating injustice.

    Narrating what transpired between them, Ajugu said trouble started between them after he refused the supply of CCTV Cameras to him from a man introduced by Adewunmi.

    He said: “Sijuade (Adewunmi) and his company, Krypton have never undertaken these kind of jobs before but saw it as an opportunity to explore and make money.

    “Meanwhile, Microdigits has got an impressive track record, so it was a jolly sweet beginning as our relationship blossomed and together we executed the first project in Abeokuta and left it at 70 per cent completion because other contractors were yet to finish up with the civil work.

    “Gladly Microdigits provided her impeccable tract record and Krypton used this to scout for other jobs, beginning with an Abeokuta job at a hotel called IBD hotels.

    “Sijuade Adewumi of Krypton and his senior partner (Tosin Adebowale) who got the job were so impressed and promised they would scout for more jobs so Micridigits would continue to be their technical partner.

    “By November last year, Krypton Technologies came with a blank Bill of Quantity (BoQ) from a company EMKAISER, with the prospect of securing another multimillion naira job.

    “Microdigits swung into action and delivered the expected pricing to execute the job and fine-tuned the technical details, Krypton on her part effected her financial expectations and presented to the main contractor.

    “Luckily, they won the job, and Krypton transferred cash to Microdigits to begin work. Within the first week, Microdigits moved the job to 70 per cent and then the executive director of the main contractor was very impressed and gave another job which was to fix the fire-alarm systems.

    “Thus Microdigits’ contract moved up from N6million to N12.7 million. The value of Kryptons’ contract was however kept close to Sijuade’s chest.

    “Trouble started when I was to go to Dubai to secure products (CCTV Cameras) for the project because they are never stocked by Nigerian companies. This did not go well with Sijuade who preferred a guy who could supply the products to Microdigits.

    “But I didn’t want to stake over N5million on a man I barely know, but rather would spend a few hundreds of thousands to go buy the products from Dubai, with attendant peace of mind.

    “Sijuade became visibly angry and hostile, but I knew that it’s my call and responsibility to get the required product as the technical person and of course as required by my contract.

    “Thus, I went to Dubai, had a good deal with the original manufacturer of the products, and came back to Nigeria, paid and installed the products, and waited for more money from Krypton, but was shocked when Sijuade ‘fired’ me.

    “He connived with my boys, (who claimed they would finish the job without their boss), and within twenty four hours resumed to take up my job.”

    He said because Adewunmi allegedly has a relationship with one Assistant Commissioner of Police, he wrote a petition claiming he defrauded him of N2.5 million, whereas, he (Ajugu) was being owed N6.7million by Adewunmi’s company.

    “The federal police instead of advising the complainant that they are not constitutionally empowered to intervene in civil matters, immediately, without caution or regard for organised business laws in the country decided to be a judge in their own court hence broke the law they have  sworn to protect by impounding without a court warrant my personal car; a Honda SUV car with all the original papers.

    “They refused to see the matter as a pure business transaction between two duly registered companies, and not a crime committed by an individual even with mounting evidences to suggest that it’s a pure civil matter.”

    While denying being indebted to Adewunmi,  Ajugu said they agreed on a payment regime of 40, 40, 15 and five percents, adding that their labour and other cost was part of the N6million that they were supposed to get.

    “To this we agreed, and by November 21, we got an alert of N1.6million credited to our account from Krypton technologies to start the cctv job. It was a bank transfer from Krypton technologies to Microdigits.

    “Immediately I brought in my men and equipment, we swung into action even though we expected the promised  40 per cent (N2.4 million) but we got less than that.”

    Since the company was impressed with the job done, Ajugu said they were awareded the next aspect, which was installation of the fire alarm systems valued at N4.7 million.

    “Looking at the drawing, I discovered that there would be a possible flaw in the overall execution of the CCTV job, so I wrote a memo for an adjustment, and forthwith it was approved, and this added N2million to the CCTV job, making it N8 million.

    “On December 5, we received payment of N1million from Krypton technologies to start the fire alarms systems, and forthwith we started work and by December 13, the first phase of the job was almost done, which is cabling and it accounts for 70 per cent of the whole job.

    “Sijuade released N3.4million into our company account on December 19 while I was in Dubai.  With the released fund, I was able to buy 33 units of cameras (out of about 57 ) and 60 units of smoke detectors and more needed cables to compensate for the flaws in the calculations of the BoQ.

    “I told Sijuade we needed more money to move on with the project, and I was shocked when he said I should itemise and analyse everything I had bought.

    “By that time, we have been paid N6million out of N12.7 million naira (less than 50 per cent payment made to us), and we had taken the job to 80 per cent completion.”

    In his submission, Adewunmi however denied owing Ajugu, accusing him of abandoning the project and going on a luxury trip to Dubai.

    “During the process of carrying out one of the contracts, funds where remitted into the accounts of Microdigits for the purpose of effecting the contractual obligations.

    “Unfortunately, instead of purchasing the necessary materials to perform the contract, Ajugu went to Dubai leaving the project unfinished having diverted the sums for personal use i.e. purchase of car and luxurious living.

    “On his return, I asked Ajugu to render account of what has been done so far on the project and how the funds disbursed to him have been used.

    “He failed to provide satisfactory answers to the query nor was he able to provide the outstanding funds for the project. Consequently, he was relieved of the project.”

    Adewunmi alleged that his company was indebted to the tune of N3million  on the project, which prompted his involvement of the police for proper investigation.

    He averred that Ajugu’s suit was to circumvent the investigative powers of the police, urging the court to dismiss it.

  • IGP deploys CPs in Lagos, Rivers, Ogun

    IGP deploys CPs in Lagos, Rivers, Ogun

    The Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase has ordered the posting of new Commissioners of Police to Lagos, Ogun, Rivers and other formations in the Force headquarters.

    In a statement by the Deputy Force PRO, Abayomi Shogunle, the new posting is expected to reduce the crime rate in the affected states.

    The statement read: “It is expected that the new postings will reverse the crime wave in the affected states and also strengthen the administration in the Force headquarters formations”.

    The commissioners affected by the posting and the states they are posted to are; “CP Ajani Fatai Owoseni; Lagos State, CP Chris Ezike; Rivers State, CP Abdulmajid Ali; Ogun State.

    Other CPs posted to formations in the Force headquarters are: “Dan Bature; Intelligence FCIID Abuja, CP Valentine Ntomchukwu, CP Admin Department of Logistics and Supply, Abuja, Hyelasinda Kimo Musa; CP Fed. Special Anti Robbery Squad, Abuja, CP Kayode Aderanti; CP Admin, department of Operations Abuja, CP Ibine; CP Port Authority Eastern Command; CP Ogbusua Aja Oleh, CP Provost, Abuja”.