Metro
Court Sets Aside Contempt Charge Against IGP, Reverses Committal Order
The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja and presided over by Honourable Justice Bolaji Olajuwon has today, Wednesday 14th December 2022, set aside the contempt proceedings and committal order against the Office of the Inspector-General of Police. The Court similarly discharged and acquitted the IGP of the conviction and 3 months sentence. This is following the motion filed before the Federal High Court on Thursday 1st December, 2022, highlighting the basis why the order should be vacated, particularly as the Force had complied with the original ruling of the court for the reinstatement of one Patrick C. Okoli, the plaintiff in the matter.
The earlier ruling was predicated on a reinstatement order for the plaintiff, a dismissed Police Officer, whose dismissal was ruled to be wrongful by the Court. It is noteworthy that earlier Inspectors-General of Police had complied with the order in line with the statutory authority of the Office of the IGP. This is in view of several letters and reminders earlier sent to the Police Service Commission, the body statutorily responsible for effecting such reinstatements, requesting compliance with the court order to reinstate and promote the Officer to his deserved rank.
The learned Honourable Justice in his ruling held that the IGP has substantially complied with the judgment of the court earlier delivered in 2011 since 2015, and is therefore entitled to acquittal, and accordingly acquitted him of any wrongdoing. The IGP has, therefore, commended the Court for setting aside the order, while reiterating the unwavering commitment of the Nigeria Police Force under his watch to uphold and respect the rule of law, and ensure the continuous protection of the fundamental rights of all persons.
In another development, with a view to promoting professionalism and efficiency in the NPF, the IGP has redeployed the supervising Deputy Inspector-General of Police, South-East Geo-Political Zone, DIG John Amadi, mni, who was hitherto in charge of the Department of Research and Planning, to the Department of Logistics and Supply, Force Headquarters, Abuja, following the retirement of DIG Zanna M. Ibrahim, mni. DIG Amadi, a member of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), hails from Ebonyi State and alumnus of the University of Lagos.
Similarly, new heads have been posted for some Commands and Formations to ensure that officers are tasked with roles commensurate with their professional capability and capacity. The other newly posted senior police officers include CP Patrick Kehinde Longe who takes over as Commissioner of Police in charge of Osun State Police Command; CP Adepoju Ayinde Ilori who takes charge of the Police Special Fraud Unit, FCID Annex, Lagos with effect from 28th December, 2022; CP Isyaku Mohammed appointed as the Head of Police Accounts and Budget; and CP Faleye E.S. Olaleye as CP Administration, FCID, Force Headquarters, Abuja.
By Eric Elezuo
A security expect and Chief Executive Officer, Safety Signatures Limited, Dr. Cynthia Gregg, has identified the need for individuals to have intimidate and dominion over their fellow man as one of the reasons for the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in the Nigerian Civil space, thereby resulting in insecurity and unsafe habitation.
Gregg made the observation while participating as a panelist during the panel session of the 2023 National Security Conference of the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP), on Thursday at the Civic Centre, Lagos.
The security practitioner noted that the issue of small arms and light weapons in the hands of non state actors, has become a major concern to all and sundry as killings abound, affecting both men in uniform and their civilian counterparts in the country today.
“We have noticed that in our society today, the person who carries the weapon is the most feared, and so because everyone wants to be feared, wants to dominate and intimidate the other person, they go to any length to acquire illegal weapons. That explains why when a robber encounters someone, the first thing they do is brandish a weapon or unleash some brutality to subdue their victim. It is the norm, unfortunately,” she said.
She further called on the public to encourage and help the law enforcement agencies to carry out their duties by saying something when they see something, and advocated community engagement to deal with challenges of proliferation of lethal weapons in the hands of non state actors.
Again, Gregg lauded the efforts of NAOSNP in using its platform to propagate safety and security through fruitful engagements with relevant institutions and reportage of credible security stories as well as advocacy through its enviable conferences.
The Lagos State Police Command had said the autopsy conducted on Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad, had been concluded.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed this to The Punch during a telephone conversation on Thursday.
He said, “Autopsy has been concluded. Awaiting results.”
Earlier on, while responding to an enquiry by the paper concerning arrests made by the police in connection with the late singer’s death, Hundeyin said, “I can’t answer questions on the arrests yet because I don’t have that update. However, the nurse is in our custody; I can confirm that.”
The body of the late singer, Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad, has been exhumed for autopsy.
Lagos State Police spokesperson, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, disclosed the development via his X handle on Thursday.
The Lagos Police image maker wrote: “Exhumation completed. Autopsy to commence. #JusticeForMohad #Justice4Mohbad.”
