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December 20, 2024
The document contradicts earlier statements made by the Police Force, which had asserted that Makinde was dismissed following a thorough investigation and orderly room trial.
A document obtained by SaharaReporters has exposed how the Nigeria Police Force falsely claimed the dismissal of Vincent Makinde, a Police Inspector, in 2022.
The document contradicts earlier statements made by the Police Force, which had asserted that Makinde was dismissed following a thorough investigation and orderly room trial.
According to the police’s claims, Makinde was removed from service due to serious offences, including abuse of office, extortion, gross misconduct, dereliction of duty, and insubordination, among other charges.
However, the newly obtained document revealed that Vincent Makinde is still a serving officer, disputing the police’s previous narrative.
Vincent was detained for weeks in leg chains at the Asokoro Police Station and subjected to degrading treatment.
WATCH: Nigerian Police ASP Makinde Vincent Leg-Chained In Abuja Cell Since November 11 For Undisclosed Offence pic.twitter.com/rVFPK88jt2
— Sahara Reporters (@SaharaReporters) December 16, 2024
A letter obtained by SaharaReporters, dated October 23, 2024, and addressed to the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Force Intelligence Department (FID), Intelligence Response Team (IRT), and the Nigeria Police Force, revealed that Vincent was still in the force as at the time.
The letter signed by the Commissioner of Police (FEDOPS), CP Vungmoh S.M. Kwaimo, confirmed that Vincent was a serving member of the Nigeria Police Force attached to the Department of Operations, Force Headquarters, Abuja.
The letter reads: "AP/NO 189553 ASP VINCENT MAKINDE JULIUS. The above-named officer is a serving member of the Nigeria Police Force attached to the Department of Operations, Force Headquarters, Abuja.
"He requires a letter to open his accounts placed on Post No Debit (PND) by the various banks as shown below:
"Kindly render to him all necessary assistance he may require in this regard.”
"Accept the warmest regards of the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Department of Operations, please," the letter added.
SaharaReporters earlier reported that the Nigeria Police Force had defended the use of leg restraints on Vincent, saying he escaped from lawful custody.
The Force gave its reaction to Vincent’s matter after concerns were raised by human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, who demanded his release over inhumane treatment.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, addressed the viral video showing Makinde, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), restrained by leg chains.
The police stated that Makinde’s detention was lawful, and the restraints were used as a security measure following his escape from custody.
Makinde, according to the police, had been lawfully detained and was not being held without cause.
SaharaReporters had reported that Falana, in his appeal, called for the immediate release of Makinde, as he urged the police to respect human rights in their handling of detainees.
However, the police maintained their stance, insisting that the measures used were in line with security protocols.
The statement read, "The police hereby clarify that contrary to the erroneous narrative, Vincent Makinde was dismissed as a Police Inspector from the Nigeria Police Force in 2022 following a thorough investigation and orderly room trial due to several serious offences such as abuse of office, extortion, gross misconduct, dereliction of duty, and insubordination among others.
"While awaiting the validation of orderly room proceedings and subsequent prosecution, Vincent Makinde assaulted a senior police officer on duty and subsequently escaped from lawful custody.”
Adejobi explained that around June 2024, he resurfaced, parading himself as a bona fide member of the Nigeria Police Force, adorning the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police without being previously absolved of his offences or promoted.
He said, "Being made aware of this, the Police authority issued a directive for his immediate re-arrest.
"The suspect was apprehended while personating himself as an active sworn senior police officer, and armed with a rifle. When approached by police operatives, Vincent Makinde exhibited violent and aggressive behaviour while resisting lawful arrest and detention.
"Upon his arrest, the suspect was restrained using feet restraining devices due to his continuous violent nature coupled with the fact that he had previously escaped from lawful custody in a violent manner.”
According to Adejobi, the officers deemed it necessary to employ the use of these restraints as a precaution to ensure the safety of the officers on duty, prevent another escape, and secure against any potential harm to him and others around him, that might arise from his aggressive demeanour.
"It is pertinent to note that the use of restraining devices is a global practice for individuals actively, aggressively, or aggravatedly resisting lawful detention,” he said.
Adejobi noted that Vincent remained a dismissed police officer, serial criminal, and that he was in custody awaiting the conclusion of investigations and prosecution.
"Further investigations have revealed his involvement in several other nefarious acts in addition to those which led to his earlier dismissal. Intensive investigation into the circumstances of his current impersonation offence is also ongoing,” he said.
"The Nigeria Police Force remains dedicated to fostering transparency and accountability within its operations, striving to maintain the public's trust and confidence.”