Police Constitute Panel To Investigate Unpaid Dues
The Nigeria Police has set up a special panel to investigate, streamline and enhance payment of entitlements of personnel who engage in ad-hoc duties in the just concluded Ondo State governorship election.
The panel, which was constituted by the Inspector General of Police, IGP Ibrahim Idris, on Friday is empowered to launch an investigation into the entire payment system.
The committee was setup as the Police boss expressed displease with the delay, omission and discrepancies in payment of allowances to officers who participated in the just concluded poll in the state in southwest Nigeria.
It also follows complaints of irregularities from certain quarters and discoveries of possible anomalies and plausible foul play.
According to a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Don Awunah, the responsibilities of the special panel include:
a. Investigating thoroughly the recent payment of allowances to personnel of the force to determine if the money released for the payment of the allowances was utilised accordingly, providing bank records as evidence.
b. Liaising with the Ministry of Finance on the perennial problematic nature of paying allowances.
c. Setting up standard modalities that will be adopted by the force to address payment of allowances given by the Federal Government for the conduct of subsequent elections in the country.
d. Recommending where appropriate, disciplinary actions against erring officers both within and outside the force.
The statement further revealed that at the end of the investigation, the special panel is expected to recommend professional modalities for payment of allowances in line with government due process for subsequent payment of allowances to personnel of the force engaged in ad-hoc duties.
It added that the development was pursuant to IGP Idris’ policy for transparency and accountability in all aspects of the Nigeria Police Force and in readiness for the establishment of a standard template that would be used in the conduct of subsequent elections.
The investigation panel, chaired by AIG Ali Ahmadu (rtd), has a representative each from the offices of Police Account and Budget, Director of Finance, DIG Operations, IGP Project Monitoring Unit, Special Investigation Panel (to assist the chairman in conducting the investigation) and Police Legal Section (to serve as secretary).
The IGP urged officers who have not received their payment to exercise a little more patience as the issue was already being addressed, assuring them that no one would be cheated of his due.
He further asked them to provide useful information that could assist the panel in their investigation and assured Nigerians that the police would always uphold transparency and due process in all her affairs.