IGP, SECURITY AND JUSTICE
Rabiu Garba argues that Ibrahim Idris book, Security and Justice, is a contradiction in terms
Apparently basking in the euphoria of the large turnout of personalities at the launch of his book: “Security & Justice: The Pathway for Peace and Reconciliation in Nigeria’’, the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Kpotun Idris, who was full of smiles and used the occasion to sermonise on the need for justice as a prerequisite for peace and national integration.
While watching him on Channels Television pontificate on the concept of justice, I saw hypocrisy writ large. With all due respect, the records of the IGP’s service so far do not seem to be in conformity with the message he is trying to pass across to his readers in that book. It is more of, ‘do as I say, but not as I do’.
When he was appointed as acting InspectorGeneral of Police and later confirmed as a substantive one, he appeared fulfilled, but not jubilant. As a matter of fact, considering some alleged issues underpinning his emergence, Idris cuts a pitiable picture of a bride or groom in the church who fears that the priest might call off the wedding because of a last minute objection from a former lover.
Since he assumed office, the IGP has allegedly been behaving like the lord of the manor, waving his supposed moral credentials like a talisman, even when it is patently clear that it is all a make-belief; probably hyped to bamboozle unwary members of the public.
Even a few Nigerians who had initially invested their hopes on him that he has the wherewithal to positively turn things around in the Nigeria Police are today biting their fingers in considerable regret because he has allegedly disappointed them, so much so that his critics are already whispering in hushed tones that he has become a huge burden to the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, a renowned anti-corruption crusader whose integrity is well known and respected worldwide.
In that book that was launched with fanfare, the author, talked glowingly about reconciliation, stressing that justice is where there is the same application of standard or yardstick as stipulated by law to all, no matter their socio-cultural differences. He also went further in chapter three to review the contributions of justice to reconciliation. Wonders, it is often said, shall never cease. Is it this same IGP who has established a reputation for selective justice that is talking about justice, peace and reconciliation? Or has he forgotten that peace cannot thrive in the absence of justice? How can he be talking about justice when he chooses which court judgment to obey and which not to obey?
Out of several court orders that the IGP has allegedly disobeyed, that of the Peace Corps of Nigeria (PCN) stands out like a totem pole. A brief recap of the tango between the police under Idris and the PCN since last year will convince even a drooling imbecile that the IGP is not as upright as he claims to be and as such must be told in no uncertain terms to climb down from his moral high horse.
It would be recalled that while the Nigerian Peace Corps (Establishment) Bill was receiving legislative attention, the IGP, allegedly in one off-the-cuff moment, disclosed that instead of the federal government to increase police allocation, it was considering taking over Peace Corps of Nigeria. Thereafter, he allegedly vowed to clamp down on the corps, a promise that was fulfilled on Tuesday, February 28, 2017, when the new corporate headquarters of the corps was sealed-off after a successful commissioning ceremony that was attended by the crème de la crème of the society. And the police have ensured that the office remained under lock and key till date.
And the IGP who is now talking glibly about justice, peace and reconciliation has paid deaf ears to orders of Justices Gabriel Kolawole ( November 9, 2017) and John Tsoho ( January 15, 2018) that the office be immediately unsealed. Acting as if he is above the law, he has also thumbed up his nose at the series of letters written to him by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice to comply with the two court judgments.
Another issue that has made the IGP’s continued stay in office irksome is his open partisan role in the farmers and herdsmen clashes in Benue State, which he said was as a result of the implementation of the anti-open grazing law.
The unfortunate claim by the IGP indicates that some of those saddled with the responsibility of protecting lives and property and maintaining law and order have abdicated their duty and become accomplices with those undermining the very existence of the country.
Under Ibrahim Idris leadership, the Nigeria Police was rated as the worst Police in the World by the World Internal Security and Police Index (WISPI) last year. Surprisingly, Nigeria Police was rated behind countries like Rwanda, Zambia, Sierra Leone, Uganda, Congo DRC, etc. It is also under Idris leadership that a Public Relations Officer will have the audacity of calling a sitting governor names without been reprimanded. Yet, in spite of all his glaring failures, the police authorities have continued to offend the sensibilities of Nigerians through paid adverts, which are aired daily on prime time network of NTA on how the force has suddenly metamorphosed into an efficient institution under Ibrahim Idris leadership, which is falsehood elevated to power four.
On the whole, the IGP Idris cannot be preaching the gospel of justice, peace and reconciliation on one hand, while recklessly abridging the fundamental rights of others with impunity on the other hand.
‘’He who must come to equity must do so with clean hands”