IG Cautions Policemen Against Criminalising Civil Matters

The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, has warned police officers across the country to streamline their investigations, end the menace of criminalising civil matters, and stop meddling in matters including land cases, debt collection, matrimonial cases and matters already pending in court.

Baba made the declaration during the meeting of strategic police managers held at the Goodluck Jonathan Peacekeeping Hall, Force Headquarters, Abuja.

Noting that his administration had forbidden the indiscriminate transfer of cases from lower commands to higher ones to curb such excesses, Baba said professional infractions would be treated with more severe disciplinary actions and sanctions, such that the burden of garnishee orders would rest solely on the individuals involved in such malpractices.

Baba said, “Another critical issue to deliberate upon at this meeting is the menace of police officers criminalising civil matters. Since the commencement of my administration as the IG, I have maintained a stand and rolled out several directives and correspondences to abreast you all on the need to streamline our investigations and caution officers and men against meddling in civil matters such as land cases, debt collection, matrimonial case and matters already pending in court.

“It was the same reason why I forbade the transfer of cases from lower commands to higher ones indiscriminately. I assure you that going forward, the Force Management Team under my leadership will be viewing such professional infractions with more severe disciplinary actions and sanctions, such that the burden of garnishee orders will rest solely on the individuals involved in such malpractices. You are hereby warned to instil this discipline in your officers and men so that you will not be held vicariously liable as well.”

The police boss also noted that the leadership of the NPF would not condone the continuous violation of any of its policies or regulations by officers, especially the social media policy and the oath of secrecy in handling the confidentiality of correspondences.

“In your interest and for the benefit of the organisation, you are all to make this a subject of lecture over and over again to your officers and men. Anyone caught in the act of disobeying the lawful orders will have themselves to be blamed,” he added.

Baba also revealed that two Deputy Inspectors-General of Police and some other officers would soon proceed on retirement, adding that some officers would be promoted to fill in the spaces being vacated while reiterating that 31,465 police officers were recently promoted by him.