The fate of three inspectors who conducted the raid and search of the Abuja residence of Chief Edwin Clark has been sealed. They have been dismissed from the force.
The fate of the fourth, an assistant superintendent of Police, who led the raid, is a matter of time as he remains at home until the Police Service Commission determines what to do with him.
A Police statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Acting DCP Jimoh Moshood, tells it all:
“The Inspector General of Police has approved the dismissal from the service of the Nigeria Police Force, three (3) Inspectors namely: (i) AP/No. 18858 Inspr Godwin Musa (ii) AP/No. 225812 Inspr Sada Abubakar and (iii) AP/No. 225828 Inspr Yabo Paul, and the immediate interdiction of AP. No 158460 ASP David Dominic who were involved in the unauthorized, illegal and unprofessional misconduct in the search of the residence of Elder Statesman, Chief Edwin Clark in Asokoro, Abuja on 4th September, 2018.
“Ap. No. 158460 ASP David Dominic was queried and being investigated for Discreditable Conduct, Negligence of Duty and an Act unbecoming of a Police officer which constitute Serious Misconduct and if not checked can be inimical to the image of the Nigeria Police Force and violation of fundamental human rights of the Elder Statesman as provided for in the 1999 Nigeria Constitution as amended. The gravity of the offences against the officer is serious in nature and dismissal from service is imminent.
“Consequently, the Inspector General of Police approved that AP. No 158460 ASP David Dominic, be on interdiction from Service pending the determination of his case by the Police Service Commission.
“The IGP also approved and upheld the dismissal from service of (i) AP/No. 18858 Inspr Godwin Musa (ii) AP/No. 225812 Inspr Sada Abubakar and (iii) AP/No. 225828 Inspr Yabo Paul, after the trio were tried under Oath in Orderly Room Trial for Discreditable Conduct, Illegal duty, Disobedience to Lawful Order and other misconduct contrary to the Rule of Law.
“The suspect (Informant) Ismail Yakubu from Waru Village, Apo District, Abuja, has been charged to Upper Area Court Mpape, Abuja for giving false information and telling falsehood that misled Police action.”
Recall that the four men acting on a tip-off, which the Police say was false, stormed and searched the Abuja home of the 91 years old statesman. He was at home at the time and gave his consent to the search which Police said was illegal and unauthorised by the Force.
When the story broke, there was public outrage with the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) calling for Police apology within 48 hours. The Police Inspector-General, Ibrahim Idris, did better. He dispatched one of his deputies, Habila Joshak, and other top brass within 24 hours with an apology, and vehemently denied he authorised the search as claimed in the media.