An anti-graft group, the Civil Society Network Against Corruption, CSNAC, has drawn the attention of President Muhammadu Buhari on the alleged fraud committed by a former Inspector General of Police, IGP, and Chairman of the Police Service Commission, PSC, Mike Okiro.
The petition signed by its National Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, CSNAC, said it decided to petition the president after several letters to the two major anti-graft agencies, ICPC and the EFCC failed to yield any fruit.
They disclosed that a whistle blower, Aaron Kaase, had also submitted evidence based petition to the ICPC on the former IG’s alleged attempt to swindle the PSC of N275 million.
It disclosed further that in response to the petition, the ICPC indicted Okiro and the PSC in a letter with reference number ICPC/INV/GBP/HOD/352 dated August 6th, 2015.
The petition reads in part, “In a curious and suspicious manner, the ICPC claimed it did not find anything criminal against the person of Mr. Okiro despite its confirmation of unlawful receipt of monies for journeys that ran concurrently amongst others and, his subsequent indictment in the recommendation for his refund of all monies obtained unethically from the PSS.
“Though, the same petition was submitted to the EFCC and followed with 2 (two) reminders by the whistleblower, the Commission is yet to come out with outcomes of its investigation
“Your Excellency, as punishment for the action the whistle-blower, Aaron Kaase, Mr. Okiro arranged the Police to put him on spurious criminal trial and suspended him from office without pay from the 27th day of May 2015 till date.”
It also said a court had on October 22, 2015 dismissed the cases preferred against Mr. Kaase, and lamented that, however, instead of recalling him to work,” the police under the influence of Mr. Okiro arrested the innocent man in a gestapo manner at his home on the 9th of November 2015 and arraigned him before a different magistrate on the same charges and was subsequently remanded in prison custody for a week before he was released on bail.
It also said a court had on October 22, 2015 dismissed the cases preferred against Mr. Kaase, and lamented that, however, instead of recalling him to work,” the police under the influence of Mr. Okiro arrested the innocent man in a gestapo manner at his home on the 9th of November 2015 and arraigned him before a different magistrate on the same charges and was subsequently remanded in prison custody for a week before he was released on bail.
It added, “Mr. President, it is unbelievable that despite the publicity attracted by the plight of Mr. Kaase and the widespread knowledge of Mr. Okiro’s known corrupt practices dating back to his days as Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Okiro has remained untouchable and still superintends over a sensitive security organ like the police and currently recruiting 10,000 policemen for Nigeria.”
“We therefore, respectfully demand that you direct the relevant agencies to prosecute Mr. Okiro and bring him to justice to send signals to others encourage other whistle blowers to expose corruption.
“Direct the PSC to recall Mr. Kaase to work and restore his salary and privileges with immediate effect.
“Direct the police to withdraw the fictitious criminal charge against Mr. Kaase pending in a Wuse magistrate court. Instruct the police and other security agencies to ensure his safety, having hitherto refused to act on his reports of threat to life and stalking of his premises by some anonymous security agents.”
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