Policemen
who participated in the Ondo state election may get their allowances
finally paid after the IGP ordered a probe into why they have not gotten
their money.
*Photo used for illustrative purpose*
The Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, has ordered an
investigation into the non-payment of allowances of police personnel who
participated in the governorship election in Ondo State last Saturday.
This followed allegations and demonstrations by the affected
officers who accused the top management of the police of sidelining them
and refusing to pay them for the work they did.
Reports of the incident had earlier been reported after policemen
complained and staged a protest but the police top management denied the
allegations.
In a press release by Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Don N.
Awunah, the Idris said he is deeply concerned over the anomaly. The
statement read thus:
"1.The Inspector General of Police, IGP Ibrahim K. Idris, NPM,
mni deeply concerned about the delay, omission and discrepancies in
payment of allowances to officers of the Nigeria Police Force who
participated in the just concluded gubernatorial election in Ondo state;
and also arising from complaints of irregularities from certain
quarters and discoveries of possible anomalies and plausible foul play,
has set up a special panel to investigate, streamline and enhance
payment of entitlements of the force personnel who engage in adhoc
duties.
2. The special panel is empowered to launch an investigation into the entire payment system with a view to:
a. Investigating thoroughly the recent payment of allowances to
personnel of the force to determine if the money released for the
payment of the allowances was utilized accordingly, providing bank
records as evidence.
b. Liaising with the Ministry of Finance on the perennial problematic nature of paying allowances.
c. Setting up standard modalities that will be adopted by the
force to address payment of allowances given by the Federal Government
for the conduct of subsequent elections in the country.
d. Recommending where appropriate disciplinary actions against erring officers both within and outside the force.
3. The SIP at the end of the investigation is to recommend
professional modalities for payment of allowances in line with
government due process for subsequent payment of allowances to personnel
of the force engaged in adhoc duties. This development is pursuant to
the policy of the Inspector General of Police for transparency and
accountability in all aspects of the Nigeria Police Force and in
readiness for the establishment of a standard template that would be
used in the conduct of subsequent elections.
4. The investigation panel will be chaired by Retired AIG Ali Ahmadu with the following as members:
i. a representative from the office of Police Account and Budget
ii. a representative from the office of Director of Finance
iii. a representative from the office of DIG Operations
iv. a representative from the office of IGP Project Monitoring Unit
v. a member from the office of the Special Investigation Panel to assist the chairman in conducting the investigation
vi. a representative from the office of Police Legal Section to serve as secretary
5. The Inspector General of Police enjoins officers who are yet
to receive their payment to exercise a little more patience as the
issue is already being looked into, assuring them that no one would be
cheated of his due. He further urges anyone with useful information that
can assist the panel in their investigation not to hesitate in coming
forward with such and assures the Nigerian public that the police will
always uphold transparency and due process in all her affairs."
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