The promotion is part of the IGP manpower development policy targeted at promoting deserving police officers on the basis of competence, qualification, and length of service.

The IGP has however charged the affected officers to add more pep in promoting the lofty principles and values of modern policing and discharge their duties as expected of them in line with the provisions of the extant laws.

Similarly, the IGP congratulated two Assistant Inspectors-General of Police on the conferment of national honours on them.

The very senior police officers include AIG Aishatu Abubakar, who was conferred with the award of Officer of the Order of the Niger, OON, and AIG Olofu Tony Adejoh, who was conferred with the individual award of National Productivity Order of Merit Award, NPOM, by the National Productivity Centre, Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment on the approval of the immediate past President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces.

The Inspector-General of Police charged the senior officers to bring their experience gathered over time and the well-deserved national recognition to bear in their national policing duties.

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Seun had, in a video, accused the policeman of bashing his car hence the assault.

The arraignment took place at the magistrate court in Yaba, Lagos, on Tuesday.

Seun Kuti was said to have violated Section Section 356 of the Nigerian Criminal Code Act, by his action.

During the arraignment, the police prosecutor, S.A. Adebese, prayed the court to remand the musician for 21 days pending legal advice from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, DPP.

Femi Falana, counsel to the musician, however, pleaded that his client should not be remanded.

Seun Kuti turned himself in at the Lagos State Police Command headquarters in Ikeja, Lagos, on Monday, following the order for his arrest by the Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, for slapping a police officer in uniform.

Seun’s attack on the police officer is contained in a video that has since gone viral.

According to the spokesman of the police command, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, on his Twitter handle, Seun Kuti turned himself in in the company of his lawyer and family representative.

The spokesman said he had been arrested in line with the law.

He gave the assurance that the police would carry out detailed, transparent and professional investigation on the matter.

He also expressed the appreciation of members of the public for their concern expressed over the matter.

It would be recalled that the chairman of the Police Service Commission, PSC, Solomon Arase, has declared that Seun Kuti should be prosecuted without delay in order to serve as a deterrent to others.

Arase said in a statement that no matter the offence, nobody, including Kuti, had the right to assault a policeman on official duty.

He frowned at the effrontery of Kuti to have slapped the policeman, insisting that Nigeria is not a Hobbesian state where might is right.

“We must, as civilized people explore established channels of complaints against alleged infractions by law enforcement officials rather than this uncouth behaviour of assaulting the country’s symbol of authority.

“We look forward to the prompt prosecution of Kuti to act as a deterrent to others,’’ Arase was quoted in the statement issued by PSC’s spokesman, Mr Mr Ikechukwu Ani.

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That, the lawyer said, was despite the fact that there was no other arrangement in place to feed the Afrobeat musician Monday evening.

The lawyer made this known on Tuesday in a statement to give update on the case of assault against Seun Kuti.

His words: “…his wife was refused the “privilege” of delivering a meal to him in the evening of Monday May 15, 2023, even though there was no other arrangement in place to have him fed.”

Kuti turned himself in at the Lagos State Police Command headquarters in Ikeja, Lagos, on Monday, following the order for his arrest by the Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, for slapping a police officer in uniform.

Seun’s attack on the police officer is contained in a video that has since gone viral.

According to the spokesman of the police command, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, on his Twitter handle, Seun Kuti turned himself in in the company of his lawyer and family representative.

The spokesman said he had been arrested in line with the law.

He gave the assurance that the police would carry out detailed, transparent and professional investigation on the matter.

He also expressed the appreciation of members of the public for their concern expressed over the matter.

It would be recalled that the chairman of the Police Service Commission, PSC, Solomon Arase, has declared that Seun Kuti should be prosecuted without delay in order to serve as a deterrent to others.

Arase said in a statement that no matter the offence, nobody, including Kuti, had the right to assault a policeman on official duty.

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He has therefore refused to make a statement on the case to the police as required of him at the Force Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, Yaba, where he is detained.

Seun Kuti is under arrest on the order of the Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, for slapping a policeman in uniform whom he accused of bashing his car.

He turned himself in on Monday and was handcuffed.

In a statement made available to FrontPage by his lawyer, Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika (SAN), Seun Kuti alleged that without his statement, the spokesman of the police command had carried out investigation into the case, issued a report and published same in the media where he (Seun Kuti) was said to have been the one who bashed the policeman’s vehicle and subsequently paid him N12,000 for the repair.

According to him, it was after the investigation which was carried out by Hundeyin that he was asked to make a statement.

READ ALSO: BREAKING: Assault: Seun Kuti turns himself in, arrested (+Photos)

Seun Kuti, the lawyer said, declared that his statement was therefore no longer necessary indicating that the police had reached a conclusion.

He said rather, he would wait for the right time and place to defend himself under the law against the “investigative findings” of Hundeyin.

Said Seun’s lawyer: “Although he had been with the Police since 8:00am on Monday 15th May, 2023, Mr. Seun Kuti notes that it was at about 8:00pm that day, after Mr. Benjamin Hundeyin had already completed and published his investigative report above, that he was asked to make a statement to the Police at the Force Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, Yaba.

“Mr. Seun Kuti has therefore volunteered to his interlocutors a statement to the effect that since Mr. Benjamin Hundeyin has already done the investigation and issued and published his report on it, there was no useful purpose to be served by any statement from him. He will, at the right time and place, and in as rigorous a manner possible under the law, defend himself against Mr. Hundeyin’s published ‘investigative findings’.”

The statement reads in full:

1. Mr. Benjamin Hundeyin who goes by the formal title of Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, but apparently doubles as the Investigating Police Officer into the case of alleged assault of a policeman by my client, Mr. Seun Kuti, has issued a Report of his investigative work.
2. Mr. Seun Kuti would have expected that having completed his investigative work, Mr. Benjamin Hundeyin, a law enforcer, would proceed according to law by sending the file containing his report of investigation for legal evaluation towards possible prosecution.
3. Mr. Seun Kuti is nevertheless not surprised that Mr. Benjamin Hundeyin chose instead to make his investigative report the subject of media publication, as for instance, in the Punch online publication of Monday May 15, 2023 titled “Assault: Seun Kuti apologised, gave cop ₦‎12,000 to repair vehicle, police say”.
4. According to Mr. Benjamin Hundeyin, in his investigative report handed over to The Punch, “Seun Kuti was the one that bashed the officer’s vehicle, and the policeman followed him to call his attention to it, but the musician alighted from his car and slapped the policeman as seen in the trending video. However, the officer reported the incident at the Police Command in Ikeja.”

“The policeman was alone. After the altercation, he followed Seun Kuti to his home in Ikeja, and the musician apologised to the policeman and gave him ₦12,000 to repair his damaged vehicle.

“But the officer reported the incident at the Area F Police Command in Ikeja, and deposited the ₦12,000 at the counter while he gave a written statement concerning the incident.”

5. Although he had been with the Police since 8:00am on Monday 15th May, 2023, Mr. Seun Kuti notes that it was at about 8:00pm that day, after Mr. Benjamin Hundeyin had already completed and published his investigative report above, that he was asked to make a statement to the Police at the Force Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, Yaba.
6. Mr. Seun Kuti has therefore volunteered to his interlocutors a statement to the effect that since Mr. Benjamin Hundeyin has already done the investigation and issued and published his report on it, there was no useful purpose to be served by any statement from him. He will, at the right time and place, and in as rigorous a manner possible under the law, defend himself against Mr. Hundeyin’s published ‘investigative findings’.
7. The consequence of this for Mr. Seun Kuti was that his wife was refused the “privilege” of delivering a meal to him in the evening of Monday May 15, 2023, even though there was no other arrangement in place to have him fed.
8. We await the next move of the Police on the allegation of crime against Mr. Seun Kuti.

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In a video that has gone viral, the Afrobeat musician wearing a red shirt atop a white pair of trousers was seen slapping a policeman standing by a police van.

While slapping the policeman, he repeatedly asked him: “you dey mad’’? (are you insane’’?).

Chairman of the PSC, Dr Solomon Arase, said in a statement that no matter the offence, nobody, including Kuti, had the right to assault a policeman on official duty.

Arase frowned at the effrontery of Kuti to have slapped the policeman, insisting that Nigeria is not a Hobbesian state where might is right.

“We must, as civilized people explore established channels of complaints against alleged infractions by law enforcement officials rather than this uncouth behaviour of assaulting the country’s symbol of authority.

“We look forward to the prompt prosecution of Kuti to act as a deterrent to others,’’ Arase was quoted in the statement issued by PSC’s spokesman, Mr Mr Ikechukwu Ani.

Ani added that Arase commended the police officer for refusing to be provoked by the action of his aggressor; a development, he said would have been fatal.

Arase also said it was unfortunate that the incident occurred at a time when the Police Force management was dealing with officers who harassed, intimidated or assaulted civilians.

He stressed that it was worrisome that police officers had now become victims of the actions of some uncultured elite.

He enjoined the police to use the present incident to set an example that that would never be tolerated in Nigeria, a country governed by laws, rules and regulations.

The PSC chairman noted that the groundswell of public opinion against the conduct of the abuser was indicative of the love and respect Nigerians had for law enforcement officers.

He said that underscored the need for all police officers to continually respect the right of the populace and be professional in all their conducts.

He added that the prompt order to arrest and prosecute Kuti, who obviously had diminished the sanctity of the symbol of authority of the Nigerian nation, was a welcome development.

“The Commission demands that the culprit be arraigned immediately and the police must ensure that the matter is followed to its logical conclusion to restore public confidence in the Nigeria Police.

“The demand is in recognition of the fact that the police is the lead agency in internal security.

“Its ability to maintain law and order and to protect lives and property must be held sacrosanct,’’ Ani also quoted Arase as saying.

Source: NAN

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Seun Kuti was seen in a video that has gone viral slapping the police officer.

In a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the IGP is said to have also ordered investigation into the case.

He also assured Nigerians that acts of contempt/disdain for symbols of authority will not be tolerated while offenders of such hideous crimes will be surely brought to book.”

The statement reads in full:

“The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, CFR has ordered the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command to arrest Afrobeat singer, Seun Kuti, who was captured on video assaulting a police officer in uniform.

“The IGP has equally ordered a speedy and full investigation into the remote and immediate cause(s) of the assault and prosecution of the suspect accordingly.

“IGP Usman Alkali Baba assures Nigerians that acts of contempt/disdain for symbols of authority will not be tolerated while offenders of such hideous crimes will be surely brought to book.”

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Also said to have been invited in the letter signed by DCP Ukachi P. Opara are a House of Representatives member- elect, Ugochinyere Ikenga Imo and former deputy governor of the state, Gerald Irona.

The call to the IGP was made by a group which identified itself as Concerned CSOS and NGOs for Good Governance.

In a statement signed by Dr Chike Ogbonnaya, the group said the invitation was suspect, particularly coming a few days to the governorship election scheduled for Saturday.

The statement by the group reads in part:

“Without prejudice to the right of the police to do its work we wish to state as follows.

“1. The invitation of the said persons to appear before the police two days before the scheduled House of Assembly elections appears to be a calculated attempt to stop them from participating actively in the preparations for Saturday’s House of Assembly elections.

“2. We find it curious that this said invitation was not extended to them before now.

“3. We have taken notice that one of the said invitees, Ugochinyere Ikenga Imo, has been having running battles with the governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma, and his government agents for some time now. Ugochinyere in the past had accused the governor and his agents of being involved in what has now come to be known as ”Omuma Magic” which is a strategy designed to rig elections.  But of more concern to us was the killing of the Uncle of Ugochinyere and the burning of houses and cars in his Akokwa village, Imo state residence of which he accused the state governor and his agents as being responsible a few weeks ago.

“4. We are aware that in over twenty years of his career, Emeka Ihedioha and Gerald Irona have never been involved in any acts of violence. Both have been known to be peace loving and responsible citizens.

“5. Taking all the circumstances into consideration, we hereby wish to state as follows:

“(a) We call on the Commissioner of Police of Imo State to withdraw the letter of invitation as it appears to have a political coloration and to avoid a breakdown of law and order.

“(b) We call on the Inspector General of Police to call the Commissioner of Police, Imo state Command to order.

“(c) We call on the National Security Adviser to intervene in the matter to provide a level playing field for all the political parties in the Saturday elections and to ensure free and fair elections.

“(d) We call on peace loving people of Imo State to maintain the peace while these issues are being resolved.”

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The directive was said to be in furtherance of the meeting held with Strategic Police Managers to discuss and review topical issues and strategies for a more secured electoral process.

According to the Force Public Relations Officer, FPRO, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in a statement he issued on Wednesday, the IGP had similarly ordered strategic deployments in accordance with the developed standard operating procedure for polling units to ensure maximum protection against intimidation, harassment, and assault on law-abiding citizens during the electoral process.

The IGP was said to have equally charged all election commanders in various states to take up complaints of intimidation, harassment, and assault reported by individuals/groups for proper investigation.

He, therefore, assured all Nigerians, particularly electorate and INEC officials that the Nigeria Police Force was in synergy with other security agencies to ensure adequate security and protection of fundamental rights nationwide.

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Exception is however given to those on essential services such as officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC; electoral observers; ambulances responding to medical emergencies; firefighters, and others in the category.

The announcement was made in a statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi.

The police spokesman said the order which was part of measures emplaced to ensure a safe, secure, and conducive environment for the conduct of elections, was aimed at ensuring public order management, the safety of electorates, as well as assisting the security agencies in effective policing, thereby preventing hoodlums and criminally-minded elements from disrupting the electoral process.

Similarly, he said, the IGP sternly warned all security aides and escorts to desist from accompanying their principals and politicians to polling booths and collation centres during the election as anyone found flouting the directive would be severely sanctioned.

READ ALSO: Elections: INEC, Police declare war against vote buying

He emphasized that only security personnel specifically assigned to election duties were to be seen within and around the designated election booths and centres.

He said also that the ban on the unauthorized use of sirens, revolving lights, covered number plates, and tinted glasses was still in force, and violators would be sanctioned appropriately.

All state-established and owned security outfits/organizations, quasi-security units, and privately-owned guard and security outfits, he added, were also barred from participating in election security management.

He said while empathizing with well-meaning citizens on the inconveniences the restriction might cause, the IGP urged all active electorate to be law-abiding and turn out en masse to exercise their franchise.

He however warned that the Force would deal decisively with any individual(s) or group(s) that might want to test “our common resolve and might to ensure a peaceful election.”

He said the IGP, therefore, enjoined all citizens to shun vote buying, vote selling, hate speech, misinformation, and disinformation, snatching of ballot boxes, and other criminal act(s) as the Force and other security agencies would leave no stone unturned in ensuring that all violators of extant laws, most especially the Electoral Act 2022 (as amended), were brought to book.

The spokesman added that the Nigeria Police Force, therefore, urged all members of the public to contact the Nigeria Police Force and the Joint Election Monitoring and Operations Room domiciled at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, via the ‘NPF Rescue Me App’ available on Android and ios, or via the NPF Rescue Me Emergency Toll-free line on 08031230631 to report suspicious persons, activities or request security response.

Similarly, other joint operations/election situation room numbers, he said, would be released by all State Police Commands respectively, for emergency contact.

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The NPF issued the warning against the backdrop of the criticism and crisis rocking some parts of the country as a result of the Naira redesign policy of the federal government.

In a statement made available to FrontPage by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, on Saturday, the NPF said the reactions and utterances of certain groups and individuals were geared towards instigating the populace against the government and its policies for their peculiar interests and gains.

The statement reads in full:

“Amidst the prevailing outcries and reactions on the new naira policy in the country, the Nigeria Police Force has deemed it necessary to caution groups and individuals against divisive comments and utterances capable of heating up the polity and triggering crisis in the nation.

“This call is highly imperative as the Police perceive the reactions and utterances of certain groups and individuals as an attempt to heat up the polity and spontaneously instigate the populace against the government and its policies for their peculiar interests and gains.

“The NPF, therefore, charges the citizenry of Nigeria to remain calm and embrace peace as the Federal Government has assured that it is taking the bull by the horn, assiduously to address the scarcity of naira and fuel and restore normalcy in all sectors.

“Similarly, the Nigerian populace is hereby urged to desist from any act of violence, hooliganism, and vandalism that may jeopardize the ongoing electoral process, which is significant and critical in the transitional advancement of democracy in Nigeria.

“Meanwhile, the NPF will like to assure the general public that it is working in concert with Defence, security, and intelligence agencies to provide a peaceful environment for all citizens to conduct their socio-economic activities.”

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