Follow Us on Google
One scourge that has seriously affected the development of Nigeria is corruption; in the biblical days of Israel, adultery was their bane, though today Israel is technologically advanced. Centuries back, in the days of Jesus, a scene was dramatised when a woman was caught red-handed in the act of adultery and she was dragged to the open ‘court’ of Jesus. She wept uncontrollably yet her captors and accusers were not deterred as they demanded for her death sentence so that they could stone her to death, according to Jewish law and tradition. Jesus bent down and wrote on the ground and asked the mob, “He who has not committed adultery should cast the first stone at the woman.” Interestingly, the scene that played out then has been replicated in NIgeria, this time at the police force headquaters, where Ibrahim Idris holds sway as Inspector-General of Police.
Onassumption of office on July 13, 2016, Idris disclosed that Messers Nsebot William & Co. and Gbenga Abimbola & Co. had been appointed to carry out what he described as a special assignment, which would be completed in six weeks, and directed the board and management of the investment bodies and subsidiaries to cooperate with the various auditing firms assigned to their respective outfits by allowing them access and other assistance to ensure a smooth and successful audit exercise. He opined that the measure was “in line with the Federal Government’s agenda to institutionalise fiscal discipline, transparency, probity and accountability in the management of public funds.”
Idris said that the exercise was aimed at carrying out due diligence to ascertain the true financial position, assets and liabilities, challenges and recommendations on how to restructure and reposition the subsidiaries for effective and efficient service, profitability and return of investment to shareholders and Nigeria Police community at large. He noted that fighting corruption at all levels was part of his vision for the police, which was in tandem with the cardinal point of the present dispensation. Among the departments that the IGP dragged to the investigating team were the Nigeria Police Force Pensions, NPF Mortgage Bank, NPF Cooperative Ltd, NPF HMO, NPF Insurance and the NPF Property Development Company. Like the Jewish accusers who demanded for quick judgement from Jesus, in the case of Idris, he gave the investigators seven weeks. Again, when the adulterous lady was waiting for judgement, the accusers were all anxiously waiting for the outcome of the judgement. However, in this case, the seven-week ultimatum has lapsed into seven whole months and no word has been heard from Idris. Many police officers were waiting for Idris to cast the first stone but seven months have passed and it looks as if the fire-spitting IGP has personally doused the fire he lighted. In the case of the Israeli woman, she was caught red-handed in the act but in the case of Idris, he is still looking for the culprits by embarking on an Israelite journey of investigation to fish out the supposed perpetrators of corruption.
Over seven months have passed and nothing has been heard of the report. It is high time public officers were stopped from playing to the gallery just to create awareness around their appointment. It behoves on the IGP not to keep quiet over this issue because, should he seal his mouth, it may amoint to his being labelled a noisemaker. It is only in Nigeria that a lion would sit down masticating its meat and an antelope would start daring him with funny dance steps. The question on the lips of observers of the Nigeria Police is whether the IGP would end closing the case files. Now that it seems the raging fire has stopped, wouldn’t it be necessary to reopen the issue of money-before-bail, since he wants to align himself with the administration that brought him into office?
The truth is that Idris is yet to put his foot down on any issue relating to criminality, be it the killer Fulani herdsmen or armed robbery, except kidnapping, where Arase’s structures and foresight has helped to redeem the country from he hands of kidnappers. Is Idris not aware of the corrupt practices of some of his officers, has he not heard the public outcry against police officers who still collect money before investigation? Is Idris playing the ostrich or is he playing to the gallery? Here is a police officer who should have concentrated more on fighting internal criminals but, instead, he is creating a distraction for himself. On assumption of office, Idris went to town alleging that his immediate predecessor, Mr. Solomon Arase, had illegally removed dozens of official cars belonging to the office of the IGP. That unnecessary disclosure robbed Idris of many things.
He thinned down his focus and became liable to diversionary tendencies. Today, after that public outcry, nothing has been heard (on the matter) after that press conference. When a leader carries a backlog of animosity and hatred into office, the main issue on his mind would be how to pay back those who have crossed his way. This is not only diversionary but often creates setbacks in an administration. From the way Idris started, he opened himself to criticism from his officers, to be labelled as a “ bad belle” IGP. Idris has a lot of potential that the police should gain from, but his recent policies are hindering him from excelling, as an astute police officer with years of operational experience. Many structures have been laid down by past IGPs like Coommassie, who gave the police a befitting headquarters, the late Adewusi, who is the father of modern-day mobile police force, Gambo Jimeta and Tafa Balogun both laid the foundation for police operational structures and Sir Mike Okiro laid a good administrative foundation and housing scheme with a good in-house publication (The Dawn). Muhammed Abubakar further strengthened the administrative, intelligence and peacekeeping directorate and operational structures, while Arase upgraded the operational, intelligence and detective structures that Idris is using for his successes today in his fight against kidnappers.
Casting the first stone can portray one as being bold but inwardly there is the guilt of conscience .
Seven months have passed and Idris has not said anything about the investigation he instigated. Security institutions are not corridors where issues are politicised just to gain cheap popularity. For not casting the first stone, it means that Idris was only bold-facing when he assumed office. Oftentimes, police officers forget the seriousness of their appointment and they derail into the messy gutter of politics and publicity. Idris should thread softly and face the mounting insecurity in the country. As he gradually dismantles the structures he met on ground, he should think about the adage that, people would surely ask the baby chicken what it went outside to seek when the kite was hovering in the sky.
