The Police Service Commission (PSC) has suspended Assistant Commissioner of Police, ACP Sunday Ubua and Assistant Superintendent of Police, ASP James Bawa, from the exercise of the powers and functions of their respective offices with effect from Monday, 14 February, 2022.
The suspension is a fallout of the ongoing exposee by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on the embattled DCP Abba Kyari, on his alleged link with the 25kg cocaine seizure by the agency.
The suspension is contained in a press release by Ikechukwu Ani, Head, Press and Public Relations Unit of the PSC and dated 17 February, 2022.
The two police officers were working under the suspended DCP Abba Kyari in the Intelligence Response Team of the Force Investigation and Intelligence Department of the Nigeria Police Force and were also alleged to be involved in the current cocaine seizure and transfer to the NDLEA.
The Commission’s decision was contained in a letter to the Inspector General of Police, dated 16 February 2022 and signed by Hon. Justice Clara B. Ogunbiyi, retired Justice of the Supreme court and Honourable Commissioner 1 in the Commission for the Chairman, Alhaji Musiliu Smith, retired Inspector General of Police.
The letter was titled “Re- Investigation into seizure and Transfer to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency of 25 kilogrammes of Cocaine by the Office of DCP, Intelligence Response Team (IRT) of the Nigeria Police Department of Force Intelligence Bureau”.
The letter stated that, in accordance with the provisions of the Public Service Rules 030406, the Commission has approved the suspension of the officers “until the outcome of the investigation into the allegations levelled against them.”
The Commission also directed the Inspector General of Police to “note also that DCP Abba Kyari who, prior to this allegation was on suspension, shall remain so until the conclusion of investigations.”
The release stated that “the Inspector General of Police was requested to place on suspension Inspector Simon Agrigba and Inspector John Nuhu, in accordance with the Powers of Delegation.
“The IGP is further requested to inform the Commission of the arrest of ASP John Umoru who is currently at large whenever his arrest is effected to enable it take necessary action”.
“The Commission also directed the Inspector General of Police to furnish it with information on further development on the matter for necessary further action.
“The Commission is in receipt of a copy of IGP’s letter on the subject matter with Reference number CB: 4099/FHQ/ABJ/Vol16/151, dated 14 February, 2022 and addressed to Brigadier General Mohammed Buba Marwa (rtd), Chairman of the NDLEA,” the release added.