… No, I voluntarily retired –Misau

By Moshood Adebayo

The Force Headquarters yesterday described Senator Hamman Misau, who accused the  Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, of bribery as a deserter.
It alleged that Misau dubiously absconded and deserted the Police on September 24, 2010, when he was redeployed to Niger State Command, consequent upon which he was queried, in line with the Public Service Rules.
The police also alleged that Misau had previously faced disciplinary investigation when he refused to proceed on Junior Command Course (JCC) 49/2008 at Staff College, Jos, between January 15, 2009, and June 19, 2009.
In a statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP. Jimoh O. Moshood, the police described Misau’s allegations that the IGP collects N15 million bribe for postings of Commissioners of Police, Mobile commanders and others as fabricated lies and unsubstantiated.
It also said that the  allegations were premeditated evil plans meant to incite the public against the Nigeria Police Force.
“The misleading misrepresentation of facts  and concocted allegations by the senator against the Inspector-General of Police and the NPF are unfounded fallacies aimed at casting aspersions on the renewed commitment of the NPF to ensure law and order and protection of lives and property across the country.’’
Regardless, speaking during a television programme monitored yesterday, Misau said he did the needful when he was disengaging from the police.
Misau, representing Bauchi Central Senatorial District, had alleged that the IGP collects roughly N120 billion as payment for special security services rendered by the police to corporate bodies, oil firms and high placed citizens every year, without spending a dime out of it on more than 50,000 personnel involved and the Force as a body.
He said: “I followed proper procedure of disengagement from the Nigeria Police through the Police Service Commission which approved of my disengagement. I gave two months notice and paid one month in lieu of notice to the appropriate quarters before my disengagement. I am not a deserter.”
The Force, however, alleged that the retirement letter by Hamman was suspiciously forged and dubiously obtained.
‘’The letter which was dated March 5, 2014, a period of more than four years after AP No. 57300 DSP Mohammed Isa Hamman (Senator Isah Hasmman Misau) deserted the Force is now being investigated by the Force.”
But the senator reacted: “He (PPRO) can’t tell me that the letter was forged; it is only the Police Service Commission that can say it is a forged document.
“He also perpetrated an act of impersonation by acknowledging the receipt of the suspected forged retirement letter as a Deputy Commissioner of Police  (DCP Hamman Isah).”
The Force PRO also denied the allegations by Misau that the IGP collects money from private citizens and oil companies amounting to billions of naira monthly.
“These allegations from a dubious and fraudulent deserter are ridiculous, baseless and a beer parlor gossip which can only be from someone of unsound mind, unrepentant and habitual liar who patronises indian hemps joints.”
It said the Force based postings, transfers and deployment of commissioners of police, police mobile force commander, SPU commanders and other commanding officers on merit and competence and not on monetary, ethnic or religious consideration.
“Postings and transfers are routine administrative tools to ensure the best performance of police officers towards optimum service delivery for the benefit of the public.
Moshood said the IGP could not compromise his integrity by receiving money before officers were posted.
“The allegation is also baseless, unfounded and should be disregarded and discountenance by the public. The Police Force will definitely take appropriate action as this has to do with the Police Act and Regulations, the Criminal and Penal Codes, stipulating a deserter as a suspected criminal under the law. All other security agencies in the country are equally implored to assist the Nigeria Police in this regard.” the Force PRO said.