Abuja, Nigeria
Dayo Aiyetan, executive director and Nurudeen Akewushole, a reporter of the International Centre for Investigative Journalism (ICIR) will today honour the invitation of the Police Cybercrime Centre and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
The ICIR in one of its investigative reports had exposed the abuse of office by two Nigerian former inspector-general of police (IGPs) and other senior officers in the force. The invitations are believed to be connected to the report published by the medium.
According to the statement by the ICIR, they will be accompanied by a team of lawyers.
The statement further stated that Aiyetan will be at the ICPC to provide information to help the agency’s investigation into the allegations of corruption in the police force.
While the Police invitation, according to an invitation letter from the Cybercrime Centre is related to an investigation relating to “cyberstalking and defamation”, the ICPC invitation is to help the agency’s investigation into the allegations in the ICIR report.
According to ICPC, the agency said it is investigating “a case that bothers on an alleged violation of provisions of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000 and it has become necessary to have recourse to your organisation.”
The Centre’s management believed that both investigations relate to an investigative report published by The ICIR titled, “Two former IGPs, senior Police officers accused of bribery in the shady land sale of designated Police Barracks.”
In its invitation, the Police claimed it is probing a case of cyberstalking and defamation of character based on a petition received by the office of the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Force Criminal Investigative Department, but provided no details.
On May 15, the ICIR informed the public that it received a letter from the Police Cybercrime Centre inviting its managers and Akewushola to appear before it on April 24. The letter written dated April 16 was not delivered to the Centre until three weeks later long after it was supposed to have honoured the invitation.
The ICIR in responding to the letter, raised some concerns to the police, including the disparity in invitation and delivery dates, and the lack of details of the petition which led to investigations for cyberstalking and defamation of character. The ICIR requested that more details of the petition should be provided so that it could adequately prepare for the police interview.
The NPF-NCCC responded by issuing another letter dated May 20, 2024, two copies of which were addressed separately to the reporter and the “managing director,” the discrepancy in the dates was adjusted but details of the allegations against the centre and its reporter were not provided
“The Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre is investigating a case of cyberstalking and defamation of character reported to the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Force Criminal Investigation Department, Area 10 Abuja, in which your presence is needed.
