By Adewole Kehinde
“The aim of justice is to give everyone his due.” – Cicero
As I woke up this morning (14/10/2024), the first pop-up on my browser was a publication from Sahara Reporters titled “Egbetokun Lokan” by one Chidi Odinkalu.
Chidi Odinkalu, in his usual hate for the Nigeria police and its leadership, said that “in Rivers State, the inspector-general of police took sides in the political contest between the incumbent governor and his immediate predecessor, who is now the minister of the federal capital territory and who also desires to be known as the godfather-general of Rivers State. First, he sought to arrest scheduled local government elections in the state on the artifice of obeying a court order.”.
Unfortunately, a statement like this is coming from a so-called lawyer and a teacher.
I recall that in a statement, the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, explained the role of the police in the crisis.
I hereby reproduce the clarification for the ignorance of Chidi Odinkalu:
“In response to the misinformation circulating in the media space with regards to the actions of the Nigeria Police Force in the Rivers State political arena, particularly regarding the just concluded Rivers State Local Government elections, the Force wishes to debunk the prevailing falsehood of partisanship and reaffirms its neutrality and non-interference in political affairs within the State and the country in general, as the NPF 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.
“The misinformation, triggered by the unwarranted outburst of the Executive Governor of Rivers State, based on no material fact, was totally uncalled for and unfair to the law enforcement institutions in Nigeria, most especially his verbal attack on the person and office of the Inspector-General of Police.”
To correct the parti pris of Chidi Odinkalu’s statement, “benefactor. For this, he has been handsomely rewarded, first with expedited preferment to a role for which his preparation falls short and, second, with a targeted amendment of the law to extend his tenure so that he will be around to pre-determine the 2027 elections,’ I wish to state that IGP Kayode Egbetokun is very qualified for the position of the Inspector General of Police of which he was appointed on merit.
I am sure that Chidi Odinkalu’ is not aware that Egbetokun possesses the following: BSc (ED)) ( Hons) Mathematics, University of Lagos; MSc Engineering Analysis, University of Lagos; Certification in Electronic Data Processing and Computer Programming, all from the University of Lagos; Masters in Business Administration from the Lagos State University; PGD Petroleum Economics from Delta State University; and PhD Peace and Security Studies from Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, Kwara State.
His security experiences stand out as he has attended courses and conferences, namely: Close Protection Course in the United Kingdom; Squadron Commander, Combat Ops Course at PMF Training College (Desert Camp Gwoza and Forest Camp lla); Advanced Detective Course, Police Staff College, Jos; Intermediate Command Course, Police Staff College Jos; Strategic Leadership Course, Police Staff College Jos; He attended the Global Conference on Chemical Security and Emerging Threats held in Lyon, France, in 2018; and He is a Member Society for Peace and Security Practice and a Scholar in Peace and Security Studies.
Egbetokun has worked in various commands, formations and departments of the police including, Chief Security Officer to the Governor of Lagos State from 1999-2005; Commander RRS Lagos State Command 2005-2007; O/C Anti–Fraud, FCT Command Abuja; CSP Admin, Lagos State Command; Area Commander Osogbo – Osun State; Area Commander Gusau – Zamfara State; Commandant Police Training School ( PTS ) Ikeja Lagos State; Deputy Commandant Police College Ikeja Lagos State; Commissioner of Police Servicom Force Headquarters Abuja; Commissioner of Police Explosive Ordinance Disposal ( EOD ) FHQ; Commissioner of Police Kwara State Command; Commissioner of Police Admin Medical Faloma Lagos State; AIG Zone 7 Headquarters, Abuja and DIG Force Criminal Investigations Department, FHQ, Abuja.
With the above, only a feeble mind will say, “he has been handsomely rewarded, first with expedited preferment to a role for which his preparation falls short.”
It is unfortunate that a called-Lawyer could say, “It is now Egbetokun’s turn, and, as inspector general, he has turned Fayemi’s predictions of electoral dystopia supervised by the troika of the police, bandits, and crooked judges into a manual of policing. It just remains for police officers to be required to sing, “On your mandate, we shall stand…”
It is on record that all police personnel were fully trained. On 25 October 2023, the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, approved a two-day intensive training programme for personnel earmarked for deployment during 2023.
Also, on 17 September 2024, ahead of Saturday’s governorship election in Edo State, the Nigeria Police Force trained at least 500 officers and men in the state command.
Chidi Odinkalu’ should know, as a lawyer, he claimed to be, that hate speech not only causes harm at the personal level and can incite violence; it is an attack on inclusion, diversity, and human rights.
The Nigeria police will surely sing, “On prevention and detection of crime, the apprehension of offenders, the preservation of law and order, the protection of life and property, we shall stand….!”
■ Adewole Kehinde is a public affairs analyst based in Abuja. 08166240846; kennyadewole@gmail.com
