Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
The Ebonyi State Police Command has denied allegation of N700,00 payment for release of suspects
This was contained in a statement signed by SP. Joshua Ukandu, anipr, Police Public Relations Officer, Ebonyi State Police Command, Abakaliki. The statement reads: “The Nigeria Police Force, Ebonyi State Command, is aware of a social media post by one Mr. Justice Ozobi, in which he alleged that the Commissioner of Police, Ebony [sic] State Command, ordered the collection of ₦700,000 each from six different families for the release of their sons, following their arrest allegedly ordered by a traditional ruler in Ebony [sic] State.
“Ordinarily, the Command would have ignored the post, which is riddled with typographical errors, incoherent assertions, and a glaring lack of factual accuracy. The picture used in the post is that of the long-retired former Commissioner of Police, Ebonyi State Command, further demonstrating the author’s apparent lack of basic research and due diligence before publishing such a serious allegation.
“However, in the interest of clarity and to prevent the public from being misled, the Command wishes to state categorically that the allegation is false, unfounded, and without basis.
“The Command further wishes to clarify that it does not handle land disputes. Consequently, any attempt to link the Commissioner of Police or the Command to the alleged collection of money for a land-related matter or the release of persons allegedly arrested in connection with such a dispute is completely baseless.
“The allegation is grave and malicious, calculated to malign, impugn the integrity and reputation of the Commissioner of Police, Ebonyi State Command, and distract the Command from its ongoing efforts under her leadership to protect lives and property, prevent crime, and maintain peace and security across the State.
“The Nigeria Police Force, Ebonyi State Command, remains committed to professionalism, discipline, accountability and transparency, and will not condone any act capable of bringing the Force into disrepute. Any allegation of misconduct against a police officer will be given due consideration and investigated on its merits where credible evidence is provided.
“Accordingly, the Command challenges Mr. Justice Ozobi to produce the evidence which he based his allegation, as he claimed in his post. Rather than publish unsubstantiated and defamatory allegations apparently aimed at generating traffic and engagement on his social media platform, Mr. Ozobi should have put out the alleged evidence.
“The Command therefore calls on members of the public to exercise restraint and responsibility in the dissemination of information on social media. While the Command respects the right of citizens to air their views and raise genuine concerns, the deliberate publication and circulation of false, malicious or defamatory information will not be tolerated.
“Ebonyi State Command remains resolute in its commitment to accountability, transparency and professional policing, and will continue to take appropriate legal action against individuals who deliberately circulate false or defamatory information capable of misleading the public, in accordance with the law,” it also added.
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