Police chief Biu knows fate Wednesday as panel ends sitting

By Yusuf Alli, Abuja 

Biu

Did embattled Commissioner of Police (CP) Zakari Biu and five others aid the escape of Boko Haram suspect Kabiru Sokoto from custody on July 16?

The answer to this puzzle may be known tomorrow or on Monday when the Force Disciplinary Committee (FDC), which probed Sokoto’s escape, submits its report to the Police Service Commission (PSC).

Sokoto has since been rearrested and he is being interrogated by the State Security Service (SSS).

The FDC, it was learnt, concluded its assignment yesterday and immediately informed PSC that it may submit its report tomorrow or on Monday.

Based on the notice, PSC is expected to meet next Wednesday to consider, the report.

PSC will also consider the appointment of new Deputy Inspectors-General of Police (DIG) on that meeting.

Yesterday, PSC claimed that Biu’s appointment as CP was on merit and followed due process.

A top source in PSC, who spoke in confidence, said: “We are going to meet on Wednesday to look at the report of the FDC on Biu and others. The report is most likely to be submitted to the PSC either on Friday (tomorrow) or Monday.

“The police panel has really ended its trial session and it is probably compiling its findings and recommendations.”

On alleged procedural error in re-instating Biu and appointing him CP, the source said: “The PSC was well-guided and Biu actually earned the elevation.

“Without prejudice to the outcome of his trial, CP Biu was reinstated on merit because there was no query in his records.

“Actually, he came back into the police as an Assistant Commissioner of Police. We took note of the 12-year absence and we sent him on refresher course for a comprehensive re-integration.

“After the refresher course, he paid his dues by moving from a Deputy Commissioner of Police to CP. The former Inspector-General of Police (IG), Hafiz Ringim, did not give him any waiver despite the fact that they were course mates.

“The reintegration affected more than 2,000 police officers and men when Biu was allowed to come back to the Police. We believe that Biu has no case to answer on how he became CP because he earned it. As for other disciplinary issue, the PSC will treat the report of the FDC on merit.”

Responding to a question, the source confirmed that new DIGs may be appointed on Wednesday.

The source said: “We will also use the Wednesday session to appoint six new DIGs. We have 18 Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs) but out of the list, we are going to appoint six to reflect the nation’s six geo-political zones.

“Although some of the AIGs are due for retirement, we will look at the list dispassionately and constitute the Police Management to enable the Acting Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, to function very well.”

The AIGs to be screened by PSC and the dates they are due for retirement are: Suleiman D. Fakai(1/1/2019); Johnson Uzu-Egbunam(30/12/12); Mohammed H. Zarewa(15/3/2015); Ibrahim Paiko Machi(1/3/2012);  Abubakar Mohammed; Ibrahim Mohammed(1/3/2012); Christopher Ola(16/7/2015); Saidu Daya(5/2/2013); Bukar Maina(5/5/2013); Danlami Yar’Adua(5/6/2013); Atiku Yusuf(8/12/2017); Mohammed Abass(1/12/ 2016); Aloysius Okorie(14/2/2012); Shehu Babalola(8/7/ 2015); Ephraim Amakulor(17/5/2012); Madueke Dax(10/5/2014); Mu’azu Idris(20/8/2013); and Charles A. Cole(12/5/2014).

At press time, it was gathered that some CPs may earn double promotion to DIGs because some zones have no AIGs; while some AIGs are retiring within one or two months.

“I think we might consider some CPs as DIGs like the case with ex-IG Mike Okiro.I do not think that the Southsouth has any AIG. Yet the DIGs must come from all the zones,” the source added.

Section 30 of Part 1 of the Third Schedule to the 1999 Constitution says: “The Police Service Commission shall have power to (a) appoint persons to offices (other than the Office of the Inspector-General of Police) in the Nigeria Police Force; and (b) dismiss and exercise disciplinary control over persons holding any office referred to in sub-paragraph (a) of this paragraph.”

SOURCE: The Nation, 16 February 2012. www.thenationonlineng.net/2011