 |
| Police IG, Sulaiman Abba |
The new Inspector-General of Police, Suleiman Abba is getting his first baptism of fire over an allegation of extending the service years of some officers.
A group, Concerned Citizens of Nigeria some days ago sent a letter to President Goodluck Jonathan alleging irregularities in the Police Force where a small number of officers who were due for retirement were given tenure extension.
A source disclosed that the act was perfected by the Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Mike Okiro who is regarded as a politician who uses his position as head of the commission to influence and execute some unlawful practice in the force.
Okiro was said to have solicited the assistance of the former Inspector General, Abubakar to perfect a similar process for some officers, a move which the ex-IG opposed claiming it was not in line with the tradition of the force.
Investigations revealed that an officer, AIG Ilesanmi Aguda of the Department of Air Wing got his letter of extension last week, a move that irked many junior officers in the force.
The AIG is known in the force as ‘the Vice-President’s man’ as he pilots the Police helicopter for the Vice President, Namadi Sambo and Senate President, David Mark.
The AIG is said to have always used his closeness to high ranking government officials to curry favour and step up his promotions, the latest one been the service extension after he had spent the mandatory 35 years in service.
The disgruntled officers alleged that the acting IG is under the control of Okiro who is said to be very manipulative and uses the force to carry out the wish of his political allies.
The allegation was said to have reached the President who has called for an investigation into the matter.
The Letter
Dear Mr President,
CALL OKIRO TO ORDER NOW!
We want to call your attention to an ugly trend that has now found its way into the Nigerian Police Force and threatens to break the norms and tradition of the institution.
It is mandatory for any officer who had served in the force for 35 years to retire. This has been the normal practice known through the rank and file of the Police force.
But to the dismay of many of us, we found that some ‘favoured’ officers who are presently due for retirement have been granted a year extension.
This irregularity has created discord in the Police Force as the action has barred many officers from been promoted.
Our investigation revealed that this unfortunate incident is perfected by the Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Mike Okiro and the Acting Inspector-General of Police, Mr Suleiman Abba which proves that the Acting-IG is not independent as a letter of extension has already been given some days ago to an AIG in Abuja.
Mr President, we can confirm to you that a similar action was proposed to the former Inspector General of Police who vehemently kicked against it based on his understanding of the bad blood the practice could generate among the officers.
We now want to understand why the Acting Inspector General approved what his predecessor opposed during his tenure.
Your Excellency, we are made to understand that the officers who have their years of service extended are close to some influential politicians and we want to implore you to use your good office to correct this anomaly.
Mr President, we commend your good works and we know that Okiro and his cohorts are bent on tarnishing your good image with their selfish acts that will do no good to the force.
We call on you to act quickly and prevent this act of favouritism from taking place.
Long live Mr President! Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria!!
Signed: Concerned Citizens Association
No comments:
Post a Comment