Police college rot: Jonathan’s probe committee submits report

There are indications that  the probe committee set up to investigate the rot in police colleges across the country has submitted its report.
The PUNCH’s investigation on Monday showed that the probe was  coordinated by the State Security Service.
It was gathered that the report of the probe, which commenced two weeks ago, has been submitted to the President.
It was learnt that the report indicated that the Police Service Commission and top police hierarchy were aware of the Channels Television’s documentary on the Police College, Ikeja.
Investigations revealed that the idea of the documentary, which was conceived by top police hierarchy, was aimed at calling the President’s attention to the rot in the colleges and the police force as a whole.
This, our correspondent gathered, would pave the way for direct funding of the police, rather than through the Police Affairs Ministry.
The PUNCH had, on February 22, 2013, reported that the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, and the Police Affairs Minister, Caleb Olubolade, were on a collision course over the decay in police colleges and the control of police funds.
It was also gathered that the documentary was part of efforts by the PSC and the police top hierarchy   to get private sector funding for the police.
A top police officer, who spoke in confidence, said, “The PSC and the top hierarchy of the police were in the know of the documentary. It was not aimed at disgracing the Jonathan government, as the rot did not start during  the life of this administration.
“It was aimed at calling attention to the rot so that government would ensure direct funding of the police. I can tell you that the President had ordered investigation into the matter. The investigation was coordinated by the State Security Service.”
The PSC chairman, Parry Osayande, had on January 22, declined comments on the decay in police colleges.
He said, “What do you expect me to say? Everyone knows the ministry caused the rot in the college. So, go and meet them and ask them questions. My job as PSC  chairman is to recruit, discipline and promote policemen.”
The spokesperson for the commission,  Ms. Comfort Obi, had  said the police should have total control over their funds.
She said, “I have been to all the commands and what they complained about was that these contractors were usually sent from Abuja, and that police commissioner cannot ask questions. The AIG cannot ask questions.
Because they are sent from Abuja by the ministry to build boreholes or barracks, they don’t know what the police commands need. If they (police) are allowed to control their budget, they should be able to know. Look at  how the police colleges are.”
An embittered Jonathan had said after his visit to the Police College that a Channels Television documentary which revealed a shocking degree of rot in the running of the institution was a ploy to rubbish the image of the Federal Government.