The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Michael Aondoakaa(SAN), on Monday said that the Inspector-General of the Police, Mr. Mike Okiro sought the permission of President Umaru Yar’Adua to send the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and six others on study leave.
He spoke exclusively with one of our correspondents on the telephone hours after police authorities in Abuja denied that the EFCC Director of Operations, Mr. Ibrahim Lamorde, was also to undertake a study programme.
Aondoakaa, whose ministry supervises the EFCC, said, “The IG must have sought and obtained approval of the President before taking such a very serious and weighty decision. I don’t know the IG to be a frivolous officer.
“What Okiro did was a routine police affair, which was done within the powers of the IG to send his officers for training.
“And he must have complied with due process going by the criteria he read out in his press conference.”
The AGF also denied that the Federal Government was trying to ease out Ribadu from the EFCC because of the recent arrest and arraignment of former Delta State Governor James Ibori.
He said, ”The NIPSS course is not meant to slow down the anti-corruption war or punish Ribadu. Nobody will deny the fact that Ribadu did his job to the best of his ability.
“Is the anti- graft war not an institutional thing? I thought the war is an EFCC battle. I did not know that it was an individual thing.
”The government has no plan to shield Ibori or anybody from justice in any form. The Federal Government arraigned Ibori in court and the course is not designed to affect the trial of the former governor. The only way Ibori can become a factor is if his trial is derailed. Ibori has been charged and the law is taking its course.
“Nobody is going to drop any charge against anybody. I am not terminating any case against anybody. Many former governors were named. You should have waited to see if all of them won‘t be tried.”
Aondoakaa had, at an earlier interview with our correspondents in Abuja on Monday, claimed that Okiro insisted that Ribadu should attend the NIPSS course.
The AGF said since Ribadu was Okiro’s subordinate, government had no choice but to accede to his request.
Asked whether a replacement was being sought for Ribadu, Aondoakaa said, “Somebody has gone on course. It is a police matter.They will know how to handle it.”
A source in the Presidency had also told our correspondents in confidence that the selection of Ribadu for training at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, was not meant to whittle down the anti-corruption war.
The source said, ”The IG sent seven names to the President for training. And it is the President that gave approval for them to go for the course. All of those recommended for training are Assistant Inspectors-General of Police.
”That training is for them to advance in their career. It is usually the best officers that are trained. To qualify, you must have more than five years to remain in the service. You must be a graduate, of reputable character and of high intelligence. I think the Police are trying to prepare these seven officers for higher career.
“I am sure all the top Police officers must have met and recommended these seven officers, who were withdrawn from various command positions.
“It is purely a regimental issue. It is purely a police matter. If the Police can give some officers promotion and they did not complain, why should anyone of them complain when asked to go for training?
“If seven officers are expected to go for training and one of them is exempted, what kind of discipline are you promoting? You could see how the Police will feel demoralised if any of the seven candidates is left out.
”What is being generated now is ugly. The government is being painted in bad light. It is a clear case of insubordination. If the President approved something, how can somebody try to undermine him? Are we saying that any officer who has served this country diligently should not be rewarded?”
Meanwhile, the police authorities in Abuja have said that EFCC Director of Operations had not been slated to attend a training course at the Police Staff College, Jos.
The Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Uba Ringim, said the officer to attend the course was Titus S. Larmonde who works with the Port Authority Police in Lagos.
According to him, Titus Larmonde, with Force number 25129, was the ninth on the list of those to attend the PSC course.
He said that signals had already been sent to those who would attend the course via a wireless message titled “DTO 1807000/12/2007.”
It also carried a signal number, “CE: 4621/‘E’ DEPT/FHQ/ABJ/SCC/VOL.1/209/SENIOR COMMAND COURSE (SCC) 46/2008X8 WEEKS”
The signal was sent on December 18, 2007.
Ringim said, “It is my responsibility as the DIG in charge of training to organise training for officers from the rank of ASP to ACP. This set of officers are going on an eight weeks’ course and I can tell you authoritatively that the name of Lamorde who is with the EFCC is not on the list.
“The one we have on the list is that of Titus Larmode who works with PAP, Lagos, and I must tell you that his boss had been notified because you cannot go on course without your boss being notified.”
By Yusuf Alli, Tobi Soniyi, Festus Akanbi, Musikilu Mojeed, Olusola Fabiyi and Olalekan Adetayo
The Punch
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
