Posted by By LUCKY NWANKWERE, Abuja and JOE OMOKARO, Lagos on
The Federal Government has confirmed the appointment of Mr. Sunday Ehindero as the Inspector-General of Police, rating his performance as acting police boss high.
The Federal Government has confirmed the appointment of Mr. Sunday Ehindero as the Inspector-General of Police, rating his performance as acting police boss high.
His confirmation was sequel to the endorsement by the National Council of State (NCS), which met in Abuja Thursday under the chairmanship of President Olusegun Obasanjo, following the recommendation of the Police Council.
The governor of Borno State, Alhaji Ali Modu Sheriff, who briefed State House correspondents on the outcome of the meeting, said the confirmation of Ehindero's appointment took effect from the day he was appointed in an acting capacity.
Sheriff said President Obasanjo had sought the advice of the NCS on the Police Council's recommendation and every member of the council present at the meeting agreed with him and the Police Council that Ehindero deserved to be confirmed as Inspector-General of Police based on his record so far.
"You are all aware that after the compulsory retirement of the former Inspector- General of Police, Mr. Sunday Ehindero was appointed in acting capacity. And the commander in chief and the Police Council feel that he should be confirmed.
"Every member of the council agreed with Mr. President on the need for confirmation of Ehindero particularly for the wonderful job he has been doing since his appointment as acting Inspector General of Police. Therefore, Mr. President has effectively confirmed his appointment from the time he started acting," he stated.
The council also endorsed the granting of pardon to and subsequent release of 150 prisoners in exercise of the president's prerogative of mercy to mark this year's independence anniversary celebration.
Governor Olusegun Agagu of Ondo State, who briefed newsmen on the issue, said those granted pardon were grouped under three categories. "Fourteen of them got convicted for federal offences and the regulation is that if you have served up to
two-thirds of your term and you are of good behaviour, or you are very old, the president can grant you release under the prerogative of mercy, 14 people were granted reprieve under this category.
"We also have category two made up of Nigerians who were jailed, namely for drug-related offences in Thailand and we have negotiated with Thailand for their release. They have been deported home and have been serving in various prisons in the country. Those
that have served substantially more than 10 years or thereabout of their terms and were of good habit or good behaviour who have showed remorse, 127 of them were released.
"The third category are people who have finished their prison sentences, which by our laws in the country are ex-convicts and have certain labels on them. They have applied for presidential pardon and nine of them have been granted presidential pardon", he stated.
The Council of State also Thursday endorsed the decision of the Federal Executive Council to set aside August 1 of every year as Emancipation Day in solidarity with the people of the Caribbean to mark the end of slavery.
Agagu confirmed that the day would not be declared a public holiday, but would be marked with lectures and symposia.
Meanwhile, former Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Abubakar Tsav, has commended President Obasanjo for confirming the appointment of Ehindero as Inspector-General of Police.
Tsav congratulated President Olusegun Obasanjo "for his wisdom and right choice in appointing Sunday Ehindero as IGP."
According to him, Ehindero has all it takes to transform the Nigeria Police.
He, however, pleaded with the Federal Government to "provide the basic needs of the force," and urged the Police Service Commission to give Ehindero "free hand to perform."