The Inspector General of Police, Olakayode Egbetokun, has ordered the arrest of the aide-de-camp and other police officers attached to the embattled former governor. Following their arrest, the State Criminal Investigation Department, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, detained them. Egbetokun ordered their arrest on the night of April 18, citing their obstruction of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s work. He issued a document that read, “CB:4001/DOPS/PMF/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.48/34 X ORDER AND DIRECTIVES X FOLLOWING MESSAGE RECEIVED FROM NIGPOL.
“DOPS ABUJA X BEGINS X CB:4001/DOPS/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.21/462 DTO:180955/04/2024 X ORDER AND DIRECTIVES X REF MYLET NO CB:3412/DOPS/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.1/36 DATED 15/04/2024 X AND MY EARLIER LET NO CB:3412/DOPS/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.1/30 DATED 24/01/2024 X Nigeria police have ordered the withdrawal of all men.”
Recall that the Federal Government, through the Comptroller General of the National Immigration Service, placed him on the watchlist for money laundering, conspiracy, and breach of trust and extended this order to the Nigeria Police, DSS, NIA, and NCS.
It’s crucial to remember that the incumbent governor, Usman Ododo, masterminded the foiled arrest of the former governor by the men of the Commission, ensuring his swift departure. The media office of the ex-governor, however, described this as an intentional witch hunt and called the attention of the federal government to it.
This scandal and its development trickle down to the ongoing APC primary elections in Ondo State and the question of whether the governor will show up or not. On this, the former National Vice Chairman of the APC, Salihu Usman, has called for Ododo’s suspension by the party’s leadership because he is likely to boycott the election. He stated, “As far as I am concerned, if proven, that constitutes an impeachable offense. I think our party should have made a pronouncement to suspend the governor from the party until this thing is brought under control.”
By Chidimma NWAFOR
