…Intrigues, Politics, Plot Thicken Over Likely Egbetokun’s Successor
By Juliana Francis
The Police Service Commission (PSC), under the watch of a retired Deputy Inspector General of Police(DIG), Hashimu Argungu, has suspended Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) AbdulYari Shuayau Lafia, over the alleged falsification of his age.
This was even as the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, directed the Force Secretary, to immediately investigate other AIGs, Commissioners of Police and senior police officers mentioned in a petition by a group identified as Integrity Youth Alliance.
Those mentioned in the petition received by the IGP, which was later forwarded to the office of the Force Secretary are; AIG Abdul Yari, AIG Idowu Owohunwa, AIG Ben Igwe, CP Peter Ukachi Opara, CP Obo Obo Ukani, DCP Simon Asamber Lough (SAN) and ACP Akpan Brown.
The suspension of AbdulYari Shuayau Lafia was confirmed to Securitynewsalert by the spokesman of the PSC, Mr Ikechukwu Ani, following a Freedom of Information (FOI) Act request sent to his office.
When Ani first received the FoI, he said he was not aware of the case but promised to find out and revert.
He would later respond thus: “The Police are handling this matter for now. The first person has been suspended and an investigation is ongoing on the other Officers. After investigation, the decision will be taken on their cases. I hope this for now serves your interest.”
Securitynewsalert further reached out to the Nigeria Police Force spokesman, an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Muyiwa Adejobi, to know about the ongoing investigation, he replied: “Please talk to the PSC on issues like that. It falls under its purview.”
Securitynewsalert again returned to PSC, and the spokesman, clearly bewildered, said: “But the Police are investigating the other Officers. PSC has a complementary working relationship with the Police. We don’t have issues with them and will always complement each other. Most times they recommend to us because they manage the operational duties of the Police from where disciplinary issues emanate.”
Securitynewsalert reached out to AIG Idowu Owohunwa via WhatsApp on the matter, but he did not respond.
A document sighted by Securitynewsalert stated thus: “Suspension and interdiction, AP No. 41804 AIG AbduYari Shuayau Lafia, the Police Service Commission (Polscom) in its letter No. PSC/CHR/IGP/VOL.5/018 dated 9th of January 2025, by PSR 100406, 2021, as amended has approved the suspension of the above-named officer from duty with effect from 9/01/2025.
“Warn the office to adhere strictly to the rules and regulations governing the conduct of police officers accordingly, pending the determination of his case by the Force Disciplinary Committee (FDC).
“AIG Pol Budget/PayMech all states only, ensure appropriate step is taken to stop his salary. Treat as very important.”
Securitynewsalert also saw a letter from the Force Secretary, AIG Olofu A Rhoda, addressed to the Head of the IGP Monitoring Unit.
The letter titled; “Re: Names Of Police Personnel That Engaged In The Unethical Practice Of Backdating Their History Record.”
Rhoda in the letter further instructed the Head of IGP Monitoring Unit to attend swiftly to the IGP’s instructions.
Rhoda said: “The IGP directs you to investigate and furnish findings no later than Monday 20th January 2025.”
The letter was received on the 13th of January 2025.
Securitynewsalert also saw a petition from Integrity Youth Alliance. It was this petition from the group that caused the IGP to order this investigation of these senior police officers.
The petition from the group reads: “It is pertinent to note that ‘Force Entrant,’ is a scheme by the Nigeria Police Force where deserving officers with requisite educational records are upgraded to a higher cadre, after a brief training period at the Police Academy or at any approved Police college, as such it is not a fresh appointment.
“Essentially, this implies that the service duration of such officers continues counting and does not automatically restart.
“Therefore, according to the Public Service Rules (7 Rules 020810 of Chapter Two), the under-listed, having served in the Public Service and received salaries as required by law cannot remain in service beyond the legally permitted period.
“Regarding our letter dated 30th of December 2024, below are some of the names of police personnel who engaged in the unethical practice of backdating their history records…”
The petitioner thereafter mentioned the names of the three AIGs, two CPs, one DCP and one ACP, earlier mentioned above.
A source, however, told Securitynewsalert that the mentioned officers were being targeted by some opposition officers, who are not just feeling threatened, but scared that these officers will likely become Egbetokun’s successor as the next IGP.
According to the source, “They just want to tarnish the reputation of these men, especially, AIG Idowu Owohunwa. There has been a campaign of calumny going on against him. It’s all because and about the next IGP. The politics and intrigues have started underground already.”
A senior police officer, who spoke with Securitynewsalert, and wishes his name and rank not to be mentioned, said: “What is happening to these officers is nothing short of envy and jealousy! This petition is orchestrated by their colleagues and coursemates, who have retired or are about to retire from the Force.
“The truth is that most times in the Nigeria Police Force, especially during enlisting, some applicants will use an affidavit to enlist into the Force, backdating their ages. When it is time for retirement on age grounds, their colleagues or coursemates, who knew the ages of these policemen and who did not bother to backdate their ages through affidavits, will start feeling jealous.
“These jealous officers are about to be retired from the Force or have already retired, while those who are the same ages as them are still serving. They are usually the ones that instigate such petitions. The truth is that nobody wants to leave the Force and go into retirement.
“Some officers think 35 years is a long time, but before they know it, they’ve already spent 35 years in service and it is time to go home. Others may be on age ground, either way, you’re going home. But nobody wants to go home; nobody wants to retire from the Police Force!”
