Posted by UBONG UKPONG, Abuja on
Acting Inspector-General of police (IGP), Mike Okiro, has suddenly developed sealed lips over the N21m scam in the police involving the Commissioner of Police (CP) Budget, John Obaniyi, and others. His predecessor, Sunday Ehindero was also fingered in the scandal.
Acting Inspector-General of police (IGP), Mike Okiro, has suddenly developed sealed lips over the N21m scam in the police involving the Commissioner of Police (CP) Budget, John Obaniyi, and others. His predecessor, Sunday Ehindero was also fingered in the scandal.
At a press conference Wednesday, in Abuja, to announce the recent success in crime prevention and detection recorded by the police and to parade some police men allegedly caught in fraud, the IGP refused to mention or parade the N21m scam suspects.
Answering questions from newsmen on why he decided to embark on selective justice, as everyone expected him to dwell on the scam and parade Obaniyi, the IGP claimed the case was still being investigated, adding that nobody would force words concerning the matter out of his mouth.
'It is not in all cases people are paraded, seeing is believing. If I conclude investigation, I will tell you every fact," the IGP said.
Okiro, who was further asked to dispel allegations that he was trying to sweep the matter under the carpet in favour of Ehindero, since he allegedly benefited from the loot as a DIG, said: 'I want that allegation to come up. Let the person come and stand before me and say it."
The IGP apparently became angry over the questions that were coming from journalists on the scam, having warned earlier that he was willing to entertain questions that are only relevant to the briefing.
Recently, the CP Budget and his aides were arrested at the Force headquarters, Abuja, attempting to cart away N21million. He was said to have confessed that the immediate past IGP, Sunday Ehindero, was in the know of the action.
The Presidency had since entered into the matter as President Umaru Yar'Adua, directed a thorough investigation into the scam and a detailed report submitted to him for necessary actions.
Speaking on the total war against corruption which he declared on assumption of office, Okiro said it has started yielding results as about 26 persons, including 17 police men were arrested and the sum of N109, 815 found on them.
Said Okiro: 'After the first four days of strike, 17 police men who were extorting money were arrested at Kabba, Kogi state, Owode Egba, Osun state, Idiroko, Ogun state, Ekpan, Delta state, Ororokpe, Igbo Ekiti, Otukpa, Benue state, Nassarawa Eggon; and Bekwara Cross River.
'Also arrested were 4 produce Inspection officers and 5 Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIOs)", the IGP stated.
On the ongoing strike, the IGP said since the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) president, had declared that it was going to be a peaceful strike, 'in line with democratic dictates, the Nigeria police appreciates the peaceful nature of the strike, and will do all within its powers to keep it peaceful."
He however warned miscreants and hoodlums, who have been attempting to hijack the strike to unleash mayhem in the society to desist, as police will clamp down on any defaulter.
Police Public Relations officer (PPRO) for the Federal Capital Territory Command, Elisha Atikinkpan, had ealier confirmed to Daily Sun that police has impounded several vehicles belonging to the NLC, which were used to block the high way along Airport road in Abuja city.