RULAAC urged the PSC to investigate the allegations against Yaro while ensuring that nothing happens to Nwanguma
By Ishaya Ibrahim, News Editor
Rule of Law Accountability and Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has petitioned the Police Service Commission (PSC) over the resort to intimidation by the Edo State Police Commissioner, Abutu Yaro, now an Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG).
RULAAC had accused Yaro of several underhand dealings with suspected oil thieves in a report published in the Sahara Reporters on October 17. The deals included, but were not limited to releasing members of a syndicate which specializes in adulterating petroleum products after money exchanged hands, allegedly being on the payroll of oil thieves, disregard for rules and many others.
But in what appears to be an attempt to intimidate, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) in charge of Criminal Investigation Department, Edo State, invited RULAAC’s Executive Secretary, Okechukwu Nwanguma for questioning. Nwanguma declined the invitation on the ground that since the DCP reports to Yaro, it is akin to Yaro being the judge in his won cause.
The Letter signed by Barrister Samuel Akpologun on behalf of RULAAC was addressed to the chairman of the PSC, Justice Clara Bata Ogunbiyi.
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The letter reads in part: “This is to report the case of conspiracy, official corruption and corrupt practices as well as the intimidation of our client for the Commission’s investigation and necessary action.
“On 17th October 2022, Sahara Reporters made a publication1 containing a concern raised by RULAAC on the allegation of conspiracy, corruption and abuse of office by the outgoing Edo State Commissioner of Police, Abuto Yaro (now Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG). The report contains details of how the Commissioner of Police (as he then was) used his office to frustrate the investigation of criminal suspects who were arrested by operatives of the Special Investigation Bureau (SIB). The suspects were caught in the act of stealing petroleum products, pipeline vandalism and adulteration of petroleum products (by adding a chemical called ‘Liverage Base Part 2’, commonly known as acid) to it. However, the said Mr. ABUTU Yaro was said to have orchestrated their release. The report also contains allegations of other illegal activities of the former CP which include bribery and corruption, unlawful homicide, and conspiracy with criminals (including fraudsters)
“On 19th October 2022, our client received an invitation (sent to him via WhatsApp) from a Deputy Commissioner of Police asking him to report to his office for a chat on the above-stated allegation. The said DCP claimed to be investigating the case. A copy of the letter of invitation is herewith attached as “ANNEXURE 1” Our client has since declined the invitation (on the ground of the likelihood of the breach of the principles of Fairness, Natural Justice, Equity and Good Conscience).”
RULAAC urged the PSC to investigate the allegations against Yaro while ensuring that nothing happens to Nwanguma.