RULAAC petitions IGP over alleged wrongful dismissal, cover-up of crime syndicate

Stanley Ihedigbo

A civil society organisation, Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC), has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, calling for justice, reinstatement, and accountability in the alleged wrongful dismissal of two police officers.

In a petition addressed to the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force, the group raised serious allegations of corruption, abuse of authority, and compromise of a major criminal investigation involving an interstate vehicle theft syndicate.

The petition, signed by the Executive Director of RULAAC, Okechukwu Nwanguma, detailed the ordeal of the dismissed officers, Shola Akano and Babatunde Glorious, who were said to have been victims of victimisation after uncovering a criminal network.

According to the group, the officers, while serving at the Public Complaints Bureau of the Kwara State Police Command in December 2018, were assigned to investigate a car theft case.

Their investigation reportedly led to the recovery of stolen vehicles in Keffi, Nasarawa State, and the arrest of suspects linked to a wider criminal syndicate.

RULAAC stated that the officers uncovered a sophisticated network involved in re-registering stolen vehicles through compromised licensing systems, identifying a suspect known as Ajadi as a key figure in the operation.

However, the petition alleged that at the peak of their investigation, the officers came under intense pressure from senior colleagues to abandon the case, including inducements allegedly amounting to ₦8 million.

The group further claimed that the case file and exhibits were forcefully taken from the officers and subsequently manipulated, while other officers allegedly interfered with the suspects and the investigative process.

The petition accused some senior officers of attempting to suppress the investigation, facilitating the release of recovered vehicles to suspects using questionable documentation, and obstructing justice.

In what RULAAC described as a “troubling twist,” the two officers were later arrested, detained for 15 days under allegedly inhumane conditions, and dismissed from service while still in detention over what they insist were fabricated allegations, including extortion and conducting an illegal investigation.

The petitioners maintained that no credible complaint existed against them and alleged that key documentary evidence was removed from case files to justify their dismissal. They also claimed to possess voice recordings and documents supporting their innocence.

RULAAC recalled that following public outcry in 2021, an investigation was reportedly ordered by the then Inspector-General of Police after widespread media attention.

During the probe, the dismissed officers submitted evidence, and investigators allegedly indicated that no offence had been established against them. Despite this, the findings were never made public, and no action was taken, with the matter remaining unresolved since January 2022.

The group expressed concern over what it described as selective discipline within the police, alleging that officers implicated in the matter have remained in service, received promotions, and continued to hold positions of authority.

It argued that the case reflects deeper institutional challenges within the police, including weak accountability mechanisms, suppression of whistleblowers, and the erosion of public trust.

RULAAC therefore urged the Inspector-General of Police to reopen and conclude the investigation transparently, review the dismissal of the affected officers with a view to reinstatement, and ensure accountability for any officer found culpable.

The organisation also called for the establishment of stronger protections for whistleblowers within the Force, as well as broader institutional reforms to prevent future occurrences.

“This case is not just about two individuals, but a test of the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to justice, accountability, and reform,” the petition stated.

RULAAC warned that allowing the matter to remain unresolved would send a dangerous signal that integrity could be punished while misconduct goes unchecked, urging the police leadership to act decisively to restore confidence in the system.