Posted by By Steve Ayorinde (London), Tobi Soniyi, Francis Famoroti and Olalekan Adetayo on
The three British detectives who worked with the Nigeria police to unmask the killers of the Peoples Democratic Party gubernatorial aspirant in Lagos State.....
The three British detectives who worked with the Nigeria police to unmask the killers of the Peoples Democratic Party gubernatorial aspirant in Lagos State, Chief Funsho Williams, did not get the permission of the British government before coming to Nigeria.
The three detectives from the London Metropolitan Police at Williams' residence on Saturday
This fact, unearthed by The Punch following an enquiry from the Metropolitan Police, came just as it was learnt that the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Sunday Ehindero, would address the press on Monday (today) on the progress on investigation.
Also, contrary to information on Thursday that a frontline gubernatorial aspirant on the platform of the Alliance for Democracy, Mrs. Remi Adiukwu-Bakare, was among the aspirants being quizzed by the police, The Punch has confirmed that she was not.
On Sunday, THE PUNCH got an e-mail from the Metropolitan Police revealing that the three British detectives did not have the permission of the British government to be in the country.
Rather, it was just the Metropolitan Police that decided to quickly accede to the request of the Federal Government to send a team of detectives to help in finding the killers of Williams.
In a brief response to an e-mail enquiry, Ruth Shulver of the Specialist Crime Press Desk of Scotland Yard said that the British detectives were only sent in as observers.
Shulver said that the detectives, who have since returned to the United Kingdom, did not take active part in the investigation while they were in the country.
Rather, she said the Metropolitan Police was working towards getting a ministerial approval to enable Scotland Yard to take active part in the investigation.
The e-mail read, '(I) can confirm the Nigerian authorities requested investigative assistance from the MPS regarding the death of Mr. Funso Williams.
"MPS officers have received a briefing by the Nigerian authorities on the death but have taken no active part in the investigation.
"They have now returned to the UK as formal authorisation from the British government is required when police officers in England and Wales travel overseas to provide advice and assistance.
"Ministers are currently being consulted on the question of authorisation."
But when asked to react, the Force Public Relations Officer, Mr. Haz Iwendi, said only Ehindero could speak on the issue.
Iwendi, who spoke with our correspondent on the telephone in Abuja, said, "I cannot answer those questions now.
'Wait till tomorrow (Monday) 12pm when the Inspector-General of Police will speak on the investigation at the Force Headquarters."
But reports from the Force Criminal Investigation Department Annex, Alagbon, Lagos, revealed that the police were on the trail of gubernatorial aspirants on the platform of the PDP who had refused to honour their invitation for questioning.
About 13 aspirants have reported to the FCID based on invitations extended to them on Thursday.
Their houses were searched at about 12 noon on Saturday.
Among those with the police at present are the former Minsiter of Works, Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe; representative, Lagos Central Senatorial District, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro; Dr. Adedeji Aganga-Williams; Mr. Femmy Carrena; Mr. Tokunbo Kamson; and Chief Adedeji Doherty.
Our correspondents learnt that the resolve to arrest the remaining aspirants was as a result of the complaints of those being detained.
It was gathered that the detained suspects were not happy that despite their voluntarily reporting at the FCID, they were being detained while those that had not reported were moving around freely.
However, contrary to the report in The Punch on Friday, Adiukwu-Bakare is not being detained by the police in connection with Williams‘s murder.
Indeed, on Sunday, Adiukwu-Bakare cancelled her meeting with Lagos women in furtherance of her gubernatorial ambition owing to the killing of Williams.
According to a statement by her media consultant, Mr. Wale Okunniyi, the cancellation was in honour of Williams who was described by Adiukwu-Bakare as a gentleman.
The event will now hold in a fortnight.
From the residence of the Williams in Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos, on Sunday came reports that the Nasarrawa State Governor, Alhaji Abdullahi Adamu; and the former Minister of Information, Chief Alex Akinyele, visited the deceased‘s family.
Adamu, who spoke with newsmen after visiting the Williams‘s, described the politician‘s murder as "most unfortunate and bad."
He urged Nigerians to help security agents in tracking down the killers.
Akinyele described Williams‘s killing as "a very unfortunate event," saying that it would deter serious minded people from actively participating in politics.
He added, "One thing however stands clear, Williams legacies will not die with him."
The President of the Citizens Right Watch, Mr. Gabriel Ojumah, in his tribute to the late Williams, urged the Federal Government and the police to unmask his killers within two weeks.
Also on Sunday, a service of songs was held for Williams by some of his associates in Dolphin Estate.
His remains will be buried on Thursday.