The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Inspector-General of Police

  • EFCC to court: Tompolo is a fugitive in law

    EFCC to court: Tompolo is a fugitive in law

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Thursday asked the Federal High Court in Lagos to dismiss a rights enforcement suit filed against it and others by a wanted former Niger Delta militant, Chief Government Ekpemulopo, alias Tompolo.

    Tompolo, who was declared wanted last February 12, is praying the court to protect him from prosecution for an alleged N45.9 billion fraud.

    He sued the Inspector-General of Police, the Chief of Army Staff, the EFCC, the Chief of Naval Staff and the Chief of Air Staff.

    EFCC’s lawyer, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, said Tompolo “is a fugitive in law”, and so, should not be allowed to seek redress in court until he submits himself for trial.

    He argued that given the materials placed before the court, it was clear that Tompolo was in contempt of the order of Justice Ibrahim Buba, who had earlier compelled his attendance in court to answer to charges preferred against him.

    Oyedepo described the application as an abuse of court process, since it was trite that a party who is in contempt of court cannot seek redress.

    He urged the court to throw out the application for lacking in merit.

    Oyedepo argued that in his originating processes, the applicant had in contradiction of his claims, annexed a copy of his notice of appeal which he signed personally.

    He argued that if Tompolo was ignorant of the charge, he would not have hired a lawyer to file an appeal.

    Oyedepo said the charge against the applicant bordered on fraud, in which billions of naira were lost by the Federal government.

    He, therefore, urged the court to dismiss the application and award “heavy” cost against the applicant for abusing the court’s process.

    Tompolo’s lawyer, Mr Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, argued that in criminal law, service of a charge was personal and cannot be presumed, adding that there is no evidence before the court showing that the charge was served on the applicant.

    Adegboruwa said his client could not be cited for contempt, adding that since the beginning of the proceedings, the applicant could not be said to have breached any court’s order.

    He argued that it is a constitutional right of the applicant to apply to court to enforce his right, adding that it cannot be waived.

    Justice Mojisola Olatoregun fixed June 19 for judgment.

     

     

  • Reps summon IGP over alleged invasion of Senator’s residence

    Reps summon IGP over alleged invasion of Senator’s residence

    The House of Representatives has given the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Ibrahim Idris, 24 hours to return all documents relating to the 2017 Appropriation Bill taken away from Sen. Danjuma Goje’s residence.

    The House gave the order in reaction to the allegation that the documents were carted away when police raided Goje’s residence.

    The legislative order followed a motion at Wednesday plenary on the “need to check the excesses of security agents with regards to invasion of residences of law-abiding citizens”

    The House also resolved to set up an ad-hoc committee to invite the IGP to appear before it and explain what warranted the alleged invasion and the laws which backed the police to carry out such operations.

    The ad hoc committee is expected to submit its report within two weeks for further legislative action.

    Debating the related motion, moved by Rep Yunusa Ahmad (APC- Gombe), lawmakers who spoke on the matter said the budget report was scheduled to be laid before the Senate and House.

    The budget report was for consideration and passage during the week.

    The lawmakers expressed anger over the way the police and other security agencies “had been invading homes of private citizens under the guise of fighting corruption without recourse to due process’’.

    Leading the debate on the motion, Ahmad said the invasion of Goje’s residence amounted to gross violation of his fundamental human right.

    Rep. Toby Okechukwu (PDP-Enugu) accused the security agencies of attempting to come to the legislature.

    “They have cowed the judiciary. Now they have proceeded to the legislature. We cannot allow that. We must call to question anything considered untoward.

    “Goje’s house was invaded, we don’t know the reason. This kind of whistle-blowing should be driven by intelligence,’’ he said.

    Similarly, Rep. Sergius Ogun (PDP- Edo) said the House must put a stop to the undue harassment of innocent citizens by security agencies in the country.

    “The police should not get away with it. If a senator can be so treated, what is the fate of the ordinary Nigerian? We must put a stop to it,’’ Ogun added

    However, Rep. Ahmed Musa (APC- Kaduna) who spoke against the motion, described the debate as “judgmental”.

    Musa said taking a stand on the alleged police invasion of Goje’s residence without an investigation negated the principle of separation of powers and would subject the House to public ridicule.

    “It is the duty of the executive arm of government to investigate perceived crimes, and asking the police to return documents was tantamount to asking them to return their exhibits,’’ he said.

    The motion was unanimously adopted when it was put to a voice vote by the Speaker, Mr Yakubu Dogàra

  • Corruption: Blow whistle on Police – IG urges Nigerians

    Corruption: Blow whistle on Police – IG urges Nigerians

    The Inspector-General of Police, (IGP) Ibrahim Idris has asked Nigerians to expose any trace of corruption and misconduct amongst officers and men of the Force.

    The Police Chief also assured that any police officer found wanting would be punished, adding that public assessment of the Personnel of the Force was necessary.

    Members of the public are expected to report any police officer by using the various social media platforms set up for the purpose.

    Idris said this on Thursday in Abuja during the inauguration of the partnership project between the police and Akin Fadeyi Foundation on an anti-corruption initiative titled, “Corruption, Not in my Country.”

    The IG who was represented by the Deputy Inspector-General in charge of Operations, Joshak Habila, said he had instituted various  programmes to make the police more accountable, responsible and reliable.

    He said: “Nigerians should blow the whistle on police corruption through the various platforms we have set up on WhatsApp, Instagram, email and GSM telephone numbers.

    “Please do the whistle-blowing and see what action the police would take, we will do the right thing and ensure justice.”

    As part of moves to totally rid the Force of corruption, he also disclosed that his administration has so far promoted over 33,000 personnel from various ranks.

    He said the promotion has boosted the morale of those affected adding that it has made them discharge their duties professionally.

    According to him: “Since the inception of this administration, 4,410 senior officers and 28,627 Inspectors and Rank and File have been promoted. In all, 33,037 have been elevated to their next ranks.”

    He added that additional list of those yet to be promoted will be considered soon.

    Also speaking, the Director of the foundation, Akin Fadeyi said he was motivated to initiate the anti-corruption advocacy to engender an efficient police force that is public friendly, reliable and responsible.

    “The police have had tainted image as an institution  for such a long time and we feel it’s time to change the narrative”.

    Fadeyi also called for a change of attitude among policemen and Nigerians.

  • ASUU demands transfer of Edo CP

     

     

    The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma chapter, has called on the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, to immediately transfer the Edo State Commissioner of Police, Haliru Gwandu.

    It said Edo State deserves a patriotic, resourceful and efficient policeman to lead the Nigerian Police Force in the state.

    ASUU also called on the IG to commence investigation of Gwandu and his activities in the state.

    The current face off between the Police Commissioner and authorities of AAU is coming after the dean, Faculty of Law, Professor Sunday Edeko, accused the police of illegal detention after brutalizing him with cutlasses and hammer.

    Gwandu who described Prof. Edeko’s allegation as tissues of lies announced the arrest of a Professor in the university for illegal possession of firearms.

    Chairman of the ASUU, AAU chapter, Dr. Monday Igbafen who spoke at a press briefing at Ekpoma yesterday accused the police Commissioner of blackmailing the university instead of investigating activities of his anti-cultism unit.

    Dr. Igbafen said investigation showed that one Dr. Oboh in the Department of Public Administration was arrested in February and later released without the police making a formal report to the university management.

    Igbafen wondered why the CP would use the arrest of a lecturer arrested in February to blackmail the university over an issue that happened in March.

    He challenged the CP to show the world the site where 14 dead bodies were recovered in Ekpoma.

    His words, “As a union, our members used to take Police briefing as a serious business. But from this Gwandu macabre dance, we know better and have resolved to take any briefing by the police with a pinch of salt.

    “Gwandu’ story is not only spurious and unfounded but a calculated attempt to bring our university to public odium. It is a clever attempt to cover up a lingering case of unwarranted arrest and unjustifiable brutalizations Prof. Edeko.”

  • IGP approves 2 additional area commands in Plateau

    IGP approves 2 additional area commands in Plateau

    The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr Ibrahim Idris, has approved the creation of two additional area commands of the Nigeria Police Force in Plateau.

    Mr Shuaibu Gambo, Deputy IGP in charge of Finance, who announced the development when he visited Gov. Simon Lalong of Plateau on Tuesday in Jos, said that Panksin and Bukuru Commands had been added to the existing Jos Metro and Langtang North.

    “Plateau now has four area commands; we believe that this measure will bring security much closer to the people,” he said.

    The DIG told the governor that the Force would need “a little logistic support, especially in the area of patrol vehicles, for easy take off”.

    He said that a special squadron mobile unit had been established in Shendam to ensure rapid response to emergencies.

    Gambo noted, however, that the police would not function efficiently without the input and support of the people and state governments.

    “It is impossible for the Federal Government to bear the burden of security agencies alone; in truth, security will collapse without the support of the states.

    “Security agencies survive mainly by the support of state governors. We need this partnership for effective service delivery,” he said.

    Gambo particularly noted that the communication gadgets in Plateau were almost non-functional, and appealed to the governor to step in, in view of the relevance of such gadgets to effective policing.

    The DIG also appealed to the governor to assist the Police Staff College in Jos, to enable it meet its mandate of training quality command staff.

    Gov. Lalong, in a response, appreciated the IG for his steady interventions in the security situation in Plateau, and commended the police boss for granting the request for additional area commands and a special squadron in Shendam.

    The governor expressed happiness over the improving security in Plateau, and told his guest that the state marked two years of peace on Monday with a carnival to celebtrate that feat

    He promised to look into the requests made by the IG, adding that no sacrifice would be too much in the effort toward a peaceful Plateau, especially since the farming season was around the corner.

    “We want a peaceful Plateau where our farmers can freely cultivate their lands,” he declared.

  • Police restate commitment to protection of human rights

    Police restate commitment to protection of human rights

    The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, on Tuesday, restated the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to the protection of human rights through strict adherence to professional policing.

    Idris gave the assurance at the International Civil Society Seminar on Counter Insurgency organised by Global Amnesty Watch in partnership with Conscience Nigeria (CN), an NGO, in Abuja.

    The theme of the seminar was “Counter Insurgency: Human Rights and Good Governance in the Context of the Nigeria Situation”.

    He said that protection of human rights was a core function of the Nigeria police, adding that the force had constantly formulated policies and disciplinary measures that would galvanise its relationship with the public.

    The I.G, represented by the FCT Commissioner of Police Command, Musa Kimo, said police would not wait for a report of human rights observers before checkmating or launching the investigation into alleged human rights abuses.

    He said that the police management team did not only make human rights a subject of the lecture in its daily briefings but had set-up the IGP Complaints Rapid Response Unit.

    He explained that the complaint unit was domiciled in all States Command and the Force Headquarters, adding that the units had long been launched and maintained a Link in the Nigeria Police website.

    “Reports to this unit are professionally investigated with disciplinary measures enforced accordingly.

    “I urge the public and Human Rights Observers to explore these opportunities, subject some media reports of human rights abuse and participate in the investigation to provide evidence through these units before publishing their conclusions.

    “The Nigeria police may though not act as spokesperson for others accused of human rights abuses but as a lead agency in internal security, the police may say that human rights violations are myth rather than reality.

    “Agreed, that in the course of counter insurgency operations, there have been some couple of operational mistakes leading to death, arrest and detention of some persons but they are being exaggerated by human rights observers.”

    The I-G said that human rights observers mostly depended on media reports without bothering to crosscheck and ascertain the authenticity or otherwise of what the media reported.

    Idris, therefore, advocated synergy between the security forces and human rights observers with a view to addressing mutual suspicion between them.

    The spokesman of the Nigerian Army, Bri.-Gen. Sani Usman, said the issue of human rights protection was paramount to the Nigerian army.

    Usman said that the Nigeria Army had established a Human Rights Desk and reached out to both local and international stakeholders on human rights related issues.

    “Every single complaint of human rights abuse that is brought to us is thoroughly investigated in order to ascertain the allegation and take appropriate measures,” he said.

    Mr Tosin Adeyanju, the Executive Director, Conscience Nigeria, an NGO, said the seminar would enhance better relationship and understanding between the security agencies and human rights observers in the country.

  • IGP warns officers against unlawful arrest, detention

    IGP warns officers against unlawful arrest, detention

     

    Inspector-General of Police, Mr Ibrahim Idris, has warned personnel of the force against unlawful arrests and detention of innocent Nigerians.

    Idris gave the warning at a meeting with Commissioners of Police and above in Abuja on Wednesday.

    He directed all commissioners of police in the states to ensure close supervision of operations of all units in their commands to avoid this unpleasant situation.

    “You should ensure close supervision of operations of all units stationed in your commands,”he said.

    The I-G said that all police units in the state were under the supervision of the commissioner who supervised activities of the command.

    He expressed concern over the conduct of some police officers who were arresting suspects and detaining them without recourse to thorough investigation.

    Idris attributed the recent achievements recorded by the police to the synergy between it and other security agencies in the country.

    “Police is having a robust synergy with other security agencies, this is seen in operation jointly carried out by the police and the security agencies,” he said.

    He said that such joint operations had resulted in the arrest of 18 suspects and recovery of cache of arms in Benue.

    The police boss assured that the notorious leader of the gang, Gana, who was still on the run, would be apprehended and brought to justice.

    He said that the suspect under-declared the arms in his possession during the amnesty given to militants in the state.

    “We seized arrays of arms from him, what he declared during the amnesty programme was to fool Nigerians,” he said.

    He urged command commissioners to give field commanders maximum support to enable them to discharge their responsibilities effectively.

    Idris said that more area commands would be established in the states to address the issue of stagnation of personnel in the commander cadre of the force.

    In a related development, the I-G has decorated 11 newly-promoted commissioners of police and one Assistant commissioner of police.

    The beneficiaries are: CP John Amadi, CP Undie Adie, CP Olugbenga Adeyanju, CP Patrick Garba, Joseph Agaji and CP Akinpelu Olajumoke, among others.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Police Service Commission had on Feb. 23, promoted 11 DCP to the rank of CP.

     

  • Group condemns masquerades’ attack on Catholic priest

    Prof. Ishaq Akintola, Director, Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has called for the prosecution of masqueraders, who attacked a Catholic seminarian in Nsukka on March 29.

    A Catholic seminarian, Lawrence Ezeugwu, was attacked by masqueraders in Nsukka, and was beaten to coma at Ugwuoyia, Nsukka, Enugu State.

    The group, in a statement on Tuesday, condemned the exhibition of religious extremism by traditionalists, describing it as crude.

    Akintola called on the Inspector-General of Police, to ensure that those who carried out the attack are fished out and punished.

    “We call the attention of the Federal Government of Nigeria to the excesses of traditionalists, particularly in Southern Nigeria.

    “Even in the South-West, the Oro cult worshippers behave as if they are above the law.

    “Traditionalists impose illegal curfew without being challenged by the authorities.

    “A good example is the curfew imposed by Oro cultists in Ikorodu, Lagos State, during the last Ramadan season, which nearly caused a violent clash between Muslims and traditionalists.

    “It is well known that Muslims shuttle between the mosques and their homes day and night during Ramadan.

    “The imposition of a curfew during such a period was not only illegal but also provocative.

    “Although the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria Section 38 (i) & (ii) guarantees freedom of religion, thereby empowering traditionalists to freely practice their faith.

    “It does not allow one group to laud it over another.

    “The right of traditionalists to religious freedom stops where it begins to encroach on others’ rights and vice versa.

    “For genuine and enduring peace, Nigerians must learn to respect one another’s rights.

    “This country has witnessed too many human and material losses as a result of religious crisis.

    “And the only way to guard against recurrence is for the authorities to strictly apply sanctions against those who violate the sanctity of religious freedom,” the group said.

    MURIC also advised state and local governments to ban illegal proclamation of curfews by cultists.

  • Fear grips Ikorodu community as militants return to terrorise Isawo residents

    Residents of Isawo in Ikorodu, Lagos State, say they now live in palpable fear following the return of militants who are terrorising people in the area.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the militants, mostly kidnappers and pipeline vandals, were chased out of the area in August last year following bloody clashes in the community.

    NAN reports that scores of people were killed in 2016 during clashes between militants and residents of Isawo community, leading to the deployment of a joint military taskforce in the area.

    Residents told NAN on Monday that many of the hoodlums had returned to Isawo and neighbouring communities, robbing and terrorising residents.

    “The militants are back to Isawo area. They brandish guns openly during daytime and rob people at night; many residents are now living in fear.

    “The men are boasting that they are back to revenge the killings of their people in Isawo last year.

    “For instance, Olusola Oke Street junction in Isawo near Majidun is one of the militants’ meeting points where they smoke Indian hemp openly.


    “Residents don’t go out daily until 7a.m, and before 6 p.m., everyone is back home,’’ a female resident, who pleaded anonymity, told NAN in Isawo.

    She said some residents had relocated from the area for their safety since the return of the hoodlums.

    Another resident, who also sought anonymity, told NAN: “When we thought that these people were gone forever, they came again.

    “We want the military and the police to check them before they start killing again.’’

    Reacting to the development, ASP Olarinde Famous-Cole, Lagos State Police spokesman, told NAN that the command was re-strategizing the security arrangements in the state, including Ikorodu area.
    Famous-Cole said more police patrol teams would be deployed in the area, and urged residents to provide useful information on the activities of the hoodlums.

    , told NAN :”I don’t have any report yet to suggest that militants are back in those areas.

    “But Lagos State Governor has approved the return of swamp buggies to open up the creeks in those areas to enable us carry out in-depth patrols,” he said.

    The swamp buggy is a motor vehicle used to traverse boggy swamp terrain.

    Buggies are able to move about on dry land, shallow mud, sand, shallow water and deep mud.

    NAN recalls that the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Idris Ibrahim, on Aug. 4, 2016 visited Isawo creeks in Ikorodu neighbourhood over the activities of militants.

     

  • Kogi gets new CP

    Kogi gets new CP

    The Inspector General of Police, Mr Ibrahim Idris Tuesday deployed a new Commissioner of Police, Mr. Wilson Inalegwu to take charge of the Kogi State Command.

    Until his redeployment, Inalegwu was the commissioner of police in charge of Ekiti State Command.

    He takes over from Mr Abdullahi Chafe Ibrahim who has been deployed to the Ekiti Command.

    Chafe, who described the incoming CP as an experienced officer, called on officers and men of the command as well as the general public to cooperate with him to enable him succeed.

    In his remarks, the incoming CP, Mr Wilson Inalegwu promised to collaborate with all critical stakeholders to make Kogi safer for the people.

    He said that the command will give attention to visibility policing, effective patrol and intelligence gathering, amongst other strategies to address security challenges in the state.