Aisha Buhari Got 2 SUVs From IGP’s Kickbacks, Says Misau In Fresh Allegations

The lawmaker representing Bauchi Central Senatorial District, Isa Misau, on Wednesday, fingered Aisha Buhari, wife of President Muhammadu Buhari in his N120bn allegations against the Inspector General of Police, Mr Ibrahim Idris.

Misau had accused the IGP of collecting money from police officers before they are posted, adding that he collects money from oil companies and banks where police officers are sent to provide security.

Following his allegation, the senate set up an eight-member Adhoc Committee led by Deputy Chief Whip of the Senate, Senator Francis Alimikhena (APC, Edo North), to probe the senators allegations against the IGP.

Speaking, yesterday, when he appeared before the Committee, Misau said the Police boss purchased two Prado SUVs for Mrs Buhari’s personal use.

He said the first lady had requested, through her Aide de Camp, ADC, for a Sienna and Hiace, but he (IGP) bought two Prado SUVs, which were not in the budget, for the First Lady.

He said: “The Inspector- General of Police gave the First Lady, wife of the President, two SUVs and this came through a letter from the ADC to the First Lady who requested on her behalf that she needed a Sienna and Hiace for personal use, but she was given the two SUVs for her private use.”

He said, “I still have some of those papers that the IG himself submitted to the court where the first lady (Mrs Buhari), through her ADC, requested for a Toyota Hiace and one Siena.”

“The same day that the ADC wrote, the IGP minute that she should be given two jeeps and it is not part of the appropriation. If you look at the appropriation, there is nowhere they said the first lady should be given two jeeps,” he added.

Misau also accused Mr Idris of favouritism in the promotion and appointment of Commissioners of Police, as well as the illegal diversion of funds.

“The IGP is alleged to have diverted the funds provided under the 2016 Appropriation Act for the acquisition of Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) to purchase of luxury cars without virement and that he essentially runs the police like a personal property by applying police resources and valuable assets to personal use by his children and close associates,” he claimed.

Continuing, Misau said: “Sometime in July 2017, I was in the office of Senator Baba Kaka, Chairman, Senate Committee on Rules and Business when a Daily Trust reporter sought my views on the information that policemen pay as much as N500,000 for special promotion.

“To verify this information, I called some serving police officers who confirmed to the three of us that the information was not only true, but also that the amounts paid are up to N2,500,000, in addition to other information.

“I, hereby, forward for your consideration, the detailed terms of allegation against the Inspector General of Police, 1GP, and Police Service Commission, PSC, deployment of policemen to private organisations.

“Between 50,000 and 100,000 policemen are routinely deployed by the police to oil companies, oil servicing companies, banks, oil marketers, and private individuals etc, with regular payments made to the police.

“While these monies are estimated to run into billions monthly, they are, however, unaccounted for. Today, the situation is so bad that businessmen with dubious characters and suspicious businesses now go about with full detachment of policemen and some with full convoy and blasting siren, especially in Lagos, Port Harcourt and other major cities in the country.

‘’This worsens the country’s policing ratio of one policeman to about 800 citizens, against the UN recommended ratio of one policeman to 400 citizens. The Police Service Commission, PSC, whose main function is to recruit, train, discipline, promote and retire members of the Force, appears to have left its core mandate to indulge almost exclusively in promotion racketeering.

“There are a lot of favouritisms in the promotion/appointment of commissioners of police. Junior deputy commissioners of police are given commissioner of police in acting capacity, against seniority and merit, thereby blocking eligible candidates.

“A recent example is the current Lagos State Commissioner of Police, who is a junior DCP to two other DCPs, now given acting CP and posted to Lagos. These acts of favouritism have eroded discipline in the Force, which is the backbone of any successful organisation.”