Inspector General of Police Idris Accused of Sexual Harassment, bullying

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris, perceived as a shining star in the force has been accused of sexual harassment and bullying by the lawmaker representing Bauchi Central Senatorial District, Senator Isa Misau.

Senator Misau, had earlier in an interview alleged that the IGP was pocketing huge sums from officers who pay bribes for promotions and juicy postings as well as from some corporate organisations.

Senators called the mass grievance lodged against him as “unprecedented” at the Police Headquarters, with the accusations now threatening to derail his career.

“The situation has even gone worse. The IGP is having relationships with two policewomen, who he promoted under special promotion. One of them is Aminat and the other is a DSP, Misau alleged on the floor of the senate.

“The IGP, last month, got married to that woman but under the police service rules and regulations, you cannot marry a serving officer unless the person retires. He quickly did a secret wedding in Kaduna because the lady was four months pregnant.

“I want the Senate to set up an ad hoc committee to investigate all the allegations raised here and I will provide all the documents and all the papers, so that Nigerians will be able to know what is happening,” Misau said.

“I am saying all these because of the institution, because we have so many excellent officers who are now demoralised; who are now frustrated because of the activities of the IGP.”

“By virtue of (the provisions of) the Constitution, police are not a revenue generating organisation; they are not meant to generate revenue. But all over the federation, we are aware that oil companies, banks, oil servicing companies, private individuals pay money to the police every month. We know it. It is an open secret; everybody knows about this.

“To even make matter worse, sometimes you will see people of dubious character and businessmen suspected to be into 419 in Lagos and Port Harcourt, blaring siren with convoys of policemen.

“These are the issues I raised, which led the IGP to attack me as a citizen and as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

“When it comes to appointment of police commissioners, the IGP decided to have his own ‘boys’ who are just assistant commissioners of police. He will give them special promotion to deputy commissioner of police. They won’t spend two to three months before making them acting commissioners of police and post them to states where he has interests.

“Special promotion is not in the police service rule and the police are guided by the police service rules. The reason they created special promotion is to get favour from governors and presidents; so that they can pave the way for them and they can get access to many things. There is nothing called special promotion in public service.”

Misau also alleged that over 100,000 policemen are now serving in oil companies and oil servicing companies, while payments are made for their services.

“Even with that, you will find out that one businessman or oil marketer has about 30 policemen. If you invite the IGP here, he will not be able to justify why one person, who is dealing in oil, should have 30 policemen, thereby depleting the ratio we are already in short of, Misau said.

Misau urged the Senate to set up an investigative panel to investigate his allegations against Idris.

He also stated that he would provide documentary evidence before the panel.