Desperados Using IGP To Intimidate Me – IBB’s Spokesman

Kassim Afegbua, spokesman of Ex-Military President, Ibrahim Babangida, has reacted to an arrest warrant by the Nigerian Police Force.

Recall that the Force on Monday declared Afegbua wanted in connection with a statement he issued on behalf of his principal on Sunday.

In the statement, Babangida talked on critical national issues one of which is asking President Muhammadu Buhari not to seek reelection in 2019.

He advocated for community policing, restructuring and noted that the country requires a “new breed of leaders” in 2019.

However, in a counter-statement released same Sunday, Babangida appeared to have disowned his spokesman, saying the views in the previous statement were those of his spokesman.

But the elder-statesman in a chat with THISDAY, denied any link with the second statement, saying his original statement still stands.

But Babangida’s move seemed not to deter the Inspector General of Police, who on Monday ordered the arrest of Afegbua.

“The IGP has ordered the arrest of Kassim Afegbua for making false statements, injurious falsehood, defamation of character and for an act capable of inciting public disturbance throughout the country,” Force spokesman Moshood said.

“He is therefore declared wanted by the Nigeria Police Force and should report at the nearest police station anywhere he is in the country.”

Reacting to the development, Kayode Ajulo & Co, representatives of Afegbua, described the arrest warrant as a desperate effort by some individuals using the police “to intimidate him and bend his will”.

The statement read: “Prince Afegbua is a well-known journalist and was a cabinet member of Edo state government with a known address in Benin, Edo state and Abuja, yet he is not on notice of the police invitation whatsoever, before the purported publication declaring him wanted.

“For the avoidance of doubt, there are spelt-out procedures for declaring a person wanted by the Police. The Police or other law enforcement agencies can declare a person wanted if they find reasons to do so, particularly if the person is a suspect in the commission of a crime and is on the run.

“The public must know that our client, in discharging his duty to his principal, General Ibrahim Babangida, GCFR cannot by any stretch of the imagination be said to have committed a crime that warrants such negative publicity. Neither is he on the run.

“Our client, however, remains undeterred by the desperate efforts of some individuals to intimidate him and bend his will and rights against the Constitution provisions, framework of Nigeria Police Force Act and the laws of the land.

“The circumscription of his constitutional right to the dignity of self, freedom of expression and fair hearing denotes that there is a desperate attempt to scare him into submission.

“We have advised Prince Afegbua of his right and remedies available to him, as a law abiding citizen of NIgeria, he has elected to make himself available to the Police on Wednesday once he returns from his trip.”