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| NEWS > 29 June 2007 |
Other related articles:
UK: Cleveland Police chief Sean Price in recruitment probe
The chief constable of Cleveland Police is being investigated over a claim he used undue influence to get a person appointed to the force.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is investigating the allegation against Sean Price.
The claim arose during an investigation into some people associated with Cleveland Police Authority.
Mr Price denied the "malicious" allegation and said he would assist the IPCC in every way.
He said: "I completely refute the accusation, which I regard as malicious as I took no part in the recruitment process.
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 Article sourced from
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Vanguard - Apapa,Lagos,Nigeria
29 June 2007
This article appeared in the above title/site.
To view it in its entirity click this link.
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Policing in corruption
“God bears with the corrupt, but not forever”
THE police as an institution for combating crime is gradually becoming one for perpetuating it. Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) once adjudged the Nigeria Police Force as one of the two most corrupt institutions in Nigeria. That verdict whether scientifically arrived at or not have been corroborated by the unprecedented Kleptomaniac tendency traceable to the Police High Command in Abuja.
The latest involves a sum of N21.6 million about to be moved out of police vault by the driver and orderly of John Obaniyi, Commissioner of Police in charge of budget. On interception of the cash starched in the boot of a Jeep, the men claimed to have been sent by Obaniyi who also alleged that the money belonged to Sunday Ehindero, immediate past Inspector General. Ehindero however denied any knowledge of the scam. Surprisingly too, the money was concealed in tranche within the force headquarters.
This development embarrassed the new administration of President Umar Yar’Adua prompting the presidency to order a probe of the scam. Police as an institution in the nation today sinks of corruption. Most men of the force are involved in one corrupt pratice or the other on the streets and highways across the country, and extortion from motorists tops the list.
Nothing can be got free at police stations. Both the accuser and accused must part with something either to ensure proper incidenting of complaints, thorough investigation of such or payment of money for procurement of bail even when it is boldly written that bail is free.
Most of these illegal activities are possible because the top most echelon of the Force stinks. Apart from the N21.6 million scam, the misappropriation of police contingency fund and controversy surrounding allowances of those who served in the United Nations cast a slur on Ehindero’s tenure and integrity. Apart from moral injustice to the sensibilities of Nigerians, it is sheer wickedness to divert the allowances due to officers on national assignment to the United Nations as allegedly did by John Obaniyi under the nose of the former IG.
Where is the es-pirit de corps in this greedy and selfish abuse of office and privilege?
When he came on board, Ehindero promised to protect and serve with integrity. During his tenure, especially the handlings of murder of Mobitel boss' death, inhuman treatment of protesting mourning mothers and police partisanship and questionable handling of the last general elections, it was apparent that police under Ehindero did not serve and protect the country with integrity. The choice properties published in newspapers and allegedly traceable to him is a dent on his reputation.
The issue of corruption within the police force especially among its top most hierarchy is an issue that deserves serious official attention. Of particular concern is the fact that the last three IGs have had to leave office in controversial circumstances or have controversy trail their exit from office. The three IGs did not see any sense in Aristotle’s aphorism that “I count him braver who overcomes his desires than him who conquers his enemies; for the hardest victory is the victory over self.” These IGs could not conquer their greed and because of this, they left the police worse than they met it.
Our democracy of eight years produced three IGs. Musiliu Smith who was appointed in May 1999 was removed when men of the rank and file of the Force for the first time in the nation’s history went on strike over welfare matters. The government then merely gave Smith safe landing and he is now enjoying a peaceful retirement.
Tafa Balogunn who took over from him was worse with regard to his high profile status as a corrupt IG. He amassed so much wealth that one would think more would go out of fashion. He saw no wisdom in Horace’s words that “He will always be a slave, who does not know how to live upon a little”.
Over fifteen billion naira was traced to him by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, all nearly accumulated during his tenure as IG. He got convicted for this.
It is disheartening that this pot bellied ex-IG still holds the nation’s award of the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) after this shameful and odious dent on his long years of service in the force. What moral is the Federal Government teaching in this instance.
No wonder, National Honours/Awards have lost the desired relevance, reverence, value and dignity associated with it in the past. It is not too late in the day to correct this official anomaly or oversight if our national awards are to be regarded as dignifying awards for honourable men and women.
What moral and legal rights does a police institution with questionable leadership have to justify its prosecution of petty pick pockets, notorious armed bandits when they commit grievous crimes as stealing from the State?
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