By Felix Khanoba
A Coalition of Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria (COCSON) has petitioned the State Security Service (SSS) over a plot by some individuals to tarnish the image of Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr Mohammed Adamu.
The coalition, in an open letter to the SSS, a copy which was made available to newsmen in Abuja, said the IGP is being defamed with spurious and unfounded allegations through an online media.
COCSON, in the open letter, jointly signed by the convener, Hon. Ikechukwu Chukwumere and the Director’s of Admin, Alhaji Tijani Ali Danjuma, said it carried out an independent investigation on the allegations against the Police chief and discovered they were mere tissues of lies.
The letter read: “The attention of the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria (COCSON) has been brought to a fake and malicious story indicting the Inspector General of Police Mr Mohammed Adamu for illegally raising millions of Naira for construction of Training School in Endehu, Nasarawa State.
“We want to categorically state that this is a deliberate attempt by some unscrupulous element to tarnish the image of the Inspector General of Police and the Nigeria Police Force in general.
“In a bid to truly unravel the credibility of this allegation, the Coalition of Civil Society Organization of Nigeria undertook an independent investigation and the following resolutions were reached on the grounds of duly established facts:
“That the said school was entirely built with the support of the State Government and multiple corporate partners.
“That whereas the online media stated that the facility was located at the IGP’s hometown in Endehu, the IGP is not from Endehu but from Lafia,
“That at no time has the IGP ordered, threatened or coerced any person, talk more of Mobile Police Commanders into generating a dime for any project.”
The coalition challenged anyone or any media organization that can substantiate the spurious claims to come forward and back it up with documents.
While calling on the Director General of SSS to investigate the matter and commence criminal allegations against the proponents of this falsehood, he said this act if not nipped in the bud is capable of promoting falsehood in journalism.
“COCSON the umbrella body of Civil Societies in Nigeria will continue to fight against corruption especially amongst our elected and public office holders, we will never support the maligning of people’s character because they are public servants,” the coalition added.
