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How Punch mispunched IGP’s statement

With the ‘One Waziri’ story that showed how Punch newspaper is more into sensationalism than fact-finding, not many will be surprised that the newspaper is now misleading its readers with regards to the  Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris’ response on Senator Misau’s claims.

The self-acclaimed “most widely read newspaper” ran a story on November 12 with the title “I’m free to have romantic affairs with any policewoman – IG”, a response to the claims made by Senator Hamman Misau (Bauchi Central Senatorial District), that the IGP is having affairs with two female police officers.

The Police Boss had replied the claims in a Statement signed by his lawyer, Alex Izinyon, that his (Misau), claims are “laughable and showed lack of understanding of the provisions of the police act and regulation.”

“Until he brings such section of the police act, it will amount to discussing the Inspector-General of Police’s private life, which ordinarily should not have been entertained on the floor of the Senate.

“The Senator also alleged that the Inspector-General of Police is in a relationship with one Corporal Amina, whom he claimed was promoted from the rank of Corporal to an Assistant Superintendent of Police within 12 months.

“This allegation is false and the senator is under obligation to give the full particulars of the female police (officer), where she is serving and her duty post. It is not possible to promote a corporal to the rank of an ASP except the officer has attended an in-service cadet course.”

Punch went a step further and wrote that Idris has “specifically asked the senator to cite a section of the law that prevents him from having romantic relationship with a policewoman.”

In the full Statement, there was nowhere where the IGP had said that he only reminded the Senator that his father and mother were former Police Officers.

“It might be appropriate to remind the Senator, whose mother retired from the police as an Inspector of Police and a father who retired from the police as an assistant inspector-general of police, that the Inspector-General of Police is a Moslem and, according to Islamic law, can marry four wives provided he can love them equally.”

The Punch story made the Police issue a statement, refuting the claims and regarding it as “untrue and fabricated”.

“This statement credited to the Inspector General of Police is untrue and unfounded.

“It is a mischievous attempt to mislead and misinform members of the Public and as well cast aspersions on the person and hard earned reputation of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Ibrahim K. Idris NPM, mni.

“What the IGP said in the document submitted to the Senate Ad hoc committee is that no law stops a Police Officer in Service to marry another Police Officer on an Officer cadre. He never said I’m free to have romantic affairs. Members of the public are implored to disregard the story in its entirety.

“The Inspector General of Police is not distracted.”

For a Media House as big as the Punch newspaper to mislead the public through fake and sensational news, is a sad reality that constitutes serious threat to the unity of the Country.

This is part of what the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, lamented when he said: Fake news and misrepresentations have grave consequences.”

FACT CHECKING MISAU’S CLAIMS

Misau had said on October 4 at the floor of the Senate, that the IGP is having an affair with two policewomen.

“The IG is openly having two relationships with policewomen which he gave special promotion. One of them is Amina and one of them is DSP Asta, while the IG on 15th of last month got married to that woman DSP. Under Police Act and Regulation, you cannot marry a serving woman police unless that woman retires.

“He quickly did a secret wedding in Kaduna because the lady is four months pregnant. I am saying this because of the institution.”

According to the Police Act in article 124 which states “that policewomen are to apply for permission to marry [L.N. 93 of 1968.]”

“A woman police officer who is desirous of marrying must first apply in writing to the Commissioner of Police for the State Police command in which she is serving, requesting permission to marry and giving the name, address, and occupation of the person she intends to marry.#

“Permission will be granted for the marriage if the intended husband is of good character and the woman police officer has served in the Force for a period of not less than three years.”

Although, this position has been declared “illegal” “null” and “void” by the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos after the Women Empowerment and Legal Aid (WELA) Initiative in 2012, challenged the constitutional validity of the section, saying it is inconsistent with the section 42 of the Constitution.

Article 127 of the act deals with the pregnancy of unmarried women police.

“An unmarried woman police officer who becomes pregnant shall be discharged from the Force, and shall not be re-enlisted except with the approval of the Inspector-General.”

The Nigeria Police Code of Conduct does not mention any requirements for active police officers, but give guidelines and rules about police officers both in the line of duty and in their private lives.

Section 4, sub-section 2 of the Code states that;

“Police officers will behave in a manner that does not bring discredit to the Force or themselves. A police officer’s character and conduct while off duty must always be exemplary, thus maintaining a position of respect in the community in which he or she lives and serves. The officer’s personal behavior must be beyond reproach.”

IS IGP guilty?

What is unclear is if Asta sought and was granted approval by the Commissioner, before getting married to the IG, as her family claims their daughter got married to him publicly in Sultan Bello Mosque.

They also added that she was not pregnant before the wedding.

If her approval was granted, there is no violation of law, but if she was pregnant before the wedding took place, then IGP had violated the Article 127 of the Police Act.

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