By Uzor Odigbo
Maritime Police Command has described its actions on port operations as lawful and constitutional, saying that the specialised force is not usurping the functions of other relevant government agencies at the ports.
This was contained in a statement made by ASP Ehinmode Rowland, Ag. Police Public Relations Officer, Maritime Police Command, FHQ Annex, Lagos on Thursday.
The Public Relations Officer further disclosed that there is the need to make things clear over double-dealings at the Port, alleging that some staff of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council and other regulatory agencies at the ports are aware of the illegalities and do not want the police to act.
He further alleged that officials of the council are conniving with some other sister security agencies at the port on cargo clearance.
The spokesman also quoted AIG Susan Akem-Horsfall stating in clear terms that the Nigerian Shippers’ Council and all other maritime operators cannot stop the Police from performing her statutory duties, as the Maritime Police Command does not need their authority to investigate crimes.
“The AIG has emphatically stated that the Command under her watch will not relent in fighting crimes being perpetuated at the port and every attempt at maligning personnel of the command through various false publications will not deter or hinder them from performing their constitutionally approved duties.”
He added that the command will give full attention to her duties that are incumbent on it by the laws of the land, especially as it relates to the nation’s maritime domain. The Command will continue to work in synergy and collaboration with sister agencies and all operators within the sector to enhance government policy on ease of doing business.
Ehinmode reiterated that the Nigeria Police Force and all her subsidiary Commands and Formations, of which the Maritime Police Command in inclusive is statutorily empowered to carry out all lawful activities conferred on her including blockage, apprehension and detention of containers/cargos suspected to have contravened the law or conveying items that are considered contraband or things inimical to the security of the nation.
According to him, the duties of Nigeria Police Force as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (As Amended), Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015, the Criminal Procedure Code and Act, the Nigeria Police Acts and regulations 2020, and the National Inland Waterways Authority Acts No. 47 LFN 2004 clearly spelt out the duties and functions of the Nigeria Police Force.
He noted that the Nigeria Police Force is a creation of the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria. Section 214 of the Constitution established this and it conferred powers and duties on the police to wit, protection of life and property, protection of harbour, waterways, railways and the air field among others.
The Acting spokesman maintained that some of the statutory duties of the Police includes prevention and detection of crimes, apprehension of offenders, preservation of law and order, and the due enforcement of all laws and regulations.
He further faulted reports from Mrs Ifeoma Ezedinma, Director Regulatory Services of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council representing the Executive Secretary/CEO, Mr Emmanuel Jime, at an event in Apapa, Lagos who stated among other things that “the Nigeria Police is overstepping it bounds and that the Police does not have the right or authority to detain the cargo the Customs has already cleared.
Ehinmode re-echoed that the aforementioned preceding statement by the Director is not only misleading but far from the truth and it has become imperative to put the records straight
