There are indications that the probe
committee set up to investigate the rot in police colleges across the
country has submitted its report.
The PUNCH’s investigation on Monday showed that the probe was coordinated by the State Security Service.
It was gathered that the report of the probe, which commenced two weeks ago, has been submitted to the President.
It was learnt that the report indicated
that the Police Service Commission and top police hierarchy were aware
of the Channels Television’s documentary on the Police College, Ikeja.
Investigations revealed that the idea of
the documentary, which was conceived by top police hierarchy, was aimed
at calling the President’s attention to the rot in the colleges and the
police force as a whole.
This, our correspondent gathered, would
pave the way for direct funding of the police, rather than through the
Police Affairs Ministry.
The PUNCH had, on February 22,
2013, reported that the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mohammed
Abubakar, and the Police Affairs Minister, Caleb Olubolade, were on a
collision course over the decay in police colleges and the control of
police funds.
It was also gathered that the
documentary was part of efforts by the PSC and the police top
hierarchy to get private sector funding for the police.
A top police officer, who spoke in
confidence, said, “The PSC and the top hierarchy of the police were in
the know of the documentary. It was not aimed at disgracing the Jonathan
government, as the rot did not start during the life of this
administration.
“It was aimed at calling attention to the
rot so that government would ensure direct funding of the police. I can
tell you that the President had ordered investigation into the matter.
The investigation was coordinated by the State Security Service.”
The PSC chairman, Parry Osayande, had on January 22, declined comments on the decay in police colleges.
He said, “What do you expect me to say?
Everyone knows the ministry caused the rot in the college. So, go and
meet them and ask them questions. My job as PSC chairman is to recruit,
discipline and promote policemen.”
The spokesperson for the commission, Ms. Comfort Obi, had said the police should have total control over their funds.
She said, “I have been to all the
commands and what they complained about was that these contractors were
usually sent from Abuja, and that police commissioner cannot ask
questions. The AIG cannot ask questions.
Because they are sent from Abuja by the
ministry to build boreholes or barracks, they don’t know what the police
commands need. If they (police) are allowed to control their budget,
they should be able to know. Look at how the police colleges are.”
An embittered Jonathan had said after
his visit to the Police College that a Channels Television documentary
which revealed a shocking degree of rot in the running of the
institution was a ploy to rubbish the image of the Federal Government.
PUNCH
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