FG investigates ‘weighty’ allegations against Rivers Police Commissioner – Minister

Published:July 21,2013

The police commissioner had been accused of Incompetence and partisanship by the state governor.

The Minister of Police Affairs, retired Navy Capt. Caleb Olubolade, said on Friday that the Federal Government was investigating the Commissioner of Police in Rivers, Joseph Mbu, following a petition against him.

Mr. Olubolade said this in an interview with journalists on the sidelines of the inauguration of 200 units of three-bedroom flats at Goodluck Jonathan Police Housing Estate in Idimu area of Lagos State.

President Goodluck Jonathan inaugurated the police housing estate, built for the officers and men of the force.

The Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, had written to President Goodluck Jonathan, heads of the National Assembly, and other relevant leaders, complaining about the inefficiency and partisanship of Mr. Mbu.

Mr. Olubolade said that the “weighty’’ allegation was receiving adequate attention, adding that he would be given an opportunity to defend himself before any disciplinary action could be taken against him.

The minister said the force had no room for erring and undisciplined policemen and officers, saying they were expected to be alive to their responsibilities and stay away from partisan politics. He noted that the duty of a policeman as spelt out in the constitution is that of safe-guarding lives and properties of the citizenry.

“When any policeman goes out of his or her way to abuse the constitution and the constitutional rights of others, such officer should get ready to face the wrath of the law.

“So, now that we have gotten the petition against him, we intend to investigate it and if he is found culpable, he will be dealt with accordingly,” Olubolade said.

Apart from Mr. Amaechi, some northern governors who visited the Rivers Governor also called for Mr. Mbu’s removal from Rivers. The police commissioner has been accused of taking sides with the anti-Amaechi faction of Rivers lawmakers and other opponents of the governor in the violence that rocked the state recently.

(NAN)