The Integrity Youth Alliance has called on the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, to ignore the sponsored news published by The SUPREME titled “Rivers Crisis: Police Officers, Editors Urge Tinubu To Sanction IGP Egbetokun, “He Is An Embarrassment,”
Reacting to the publications, the Chairman of the Allaince Board, Adewole Kehinde, said that no amount of blackmail, especially from The SUPREME and its publisher, who seems to be the hatchet man for the enemies of the Inspector-General of Police, will triumph.
“The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, on several occasions responded to the misinformation against the Nigeria Police Force in the Rivers State political arena, particularly regarding the just concluded Rivers State Local Government elections.
“The Nigeria Police only acted in line with an existing court judgement of the Federal High Court.
“Firstly, the Nigeria Police Force was served with an order of injunction by the Federal High Court made on the 19th of July, 2024, barring the Police from participating in the LG election, deeming it unlawful.
“Secondly, the Rivers State High Court issued a counterorder on the 4th of September, 2024, directing the Nigeria Police Force and other federal security agencies to provide security at the LG elections. It should be noted that the NPF was not joined as a party in this suit.
“And thirdly, the Federal High Court that gave the earlier injunction delivered judgement on 30th September 2024, nullifying all previous activities so far carried in respect of the LG election and ordering the Police to stay away from any attempt to provide security during the said election.
“All these orders and counter orders were served on the police. The IGP, being a thoroughbred committed to operating within the legal framework, forwarded the three court orders to the Force Legal section for advice. For the information of members of the public, the Force legal section boasts of sound and experienced lawyers who have distinguished themselves in the legal profession, including a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).
“Based on the legal advice received from the Force Legal Office, the IGP ordered the Rivers State Police Command to abide by the ruling of the Federal High Court and also communicated the same to the Governor of Rivers State via a letter with reference number CH:3514/IGP.SEC/ABJ/VOL.38/260 dated October 2, 2024, where the IGP advised the Governor to also abide by the Court ruling in the interest of peace and well-being of the people of Rivers State.
“Since it is the duty of police to protect lives and property, this is the more reason the police put up the local government secretariats under custodian protection.
“It is unfortunate that an Editor-in-Chief/Managing Director of the Daily Independent, Steve Omanufeme, could be so ignorant to have said that “His actions showed that he took instructions from the FCT Minister, Wike, instead from the President or from the Police Service Commission.”.
“The Inspector General of Police doesn’t take orders from anybody except the President and Commander in Chief, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as well as the Court of Law. It is so sad that an Editor-in-Chief/Managing Director of his status could conclude that the IGP is taking instructions from the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
To really show that The SUPREME and its publisher are still bitter because its candidate couldn’t secure the seat of the IGP, the publication further said, “Discrete investigations by The SUPREME reveal that at the Force Headquarters Abuja, IGP Egbetokun has lost credibility and respect because of the Rivers State crises.
“We stand to say boldly that Egbetokun’s credibility and respect remained very high at the Force Headquarters Abuja, against the made-believe sponsored propaganda by the SUPREME.
“It is absolutely false that “both senior and junior police officers act on his instructions with levity.”.
“On a final note, we wish to state that IGP Egbetokun did not have an extension, and the so-called “mistakes” are an imagination of the publisher. Despite the blackmail from The SUPREME, IGP Kayode Egbetokun will not deviate from the prevention and detection of crime, the apprehension of offenders, the preservation of law and order, and the protection of life and property.
