The Nigerian Police Force (NPF) has acknowledged its invitation letters to Timi Dakolo, singer-songwriter, and Busola Dakolo, his wife.
The clarification came after reports that the police raided the home of the couple in connection to the highly publicized “rape” case involving Biodun Fatoyinbo, founder of the Commonwealth of Zion Assembly (COZA).
Fatoyinbo was last month accused of rape by Busola, a celebrity photographer when she was a teenager.
Fatoyinbo denied the allegation, but he eventually stepped down from the church to face investigation
However, the raid on the couple’s home have been greeted with outrage, with the police accused of intimidating Dakolo. and his wife.
But in a series of tweets on Sunday morning, the police said the couple were invitation letters and should not be mistaken for arrest warrant.
POLICE CONFIRM INVITING BISOLA AND TIMI DAKOLO
*Reassures Citizens of its Commitment to Justice
The Nigeria Police Force is confirming that its operatives today, 20th July, 2019 served official Invitation Letters on Bisola and Timi Dakolo.
— Nigeria Police Force (@PoliceNG) July 21, 2019
The invitation is sequel to an on-going police investigation touching on the wider and highly publicized case involving Bisola Dakolo, Pastor Biodun Fatoyinbo and others.
— Nigeria Police Force (@PoliceNG) July 21, 2019
It is important however to note that a Police Invitation Letter is not synonymous with a Warrant of Arrest, and must not be construed to be one. Rather, it is a polite investigative tool used in eliciting information voluntarily from parties to aid police investigations.
— Nigeria Police Force (@PoliceNG) July 21, 2019
Members of the public should see it as a legitimate act in line with the constitutional mandate of the police, which among other things include the investigation of all complaints brought before it.
— Nigeria Police Force (@PoliceNG) July 21, 2019
The Inspector General of Police, IGP MA Adamu NPM, mni has appealed for calm, and is reassuring Nigerians that the Police Force under his watch will remain professional, impartial and unreservedly committed to the pursuit of justice in this case and all other cases before it.
— Nigeria Police Force (@PoliceNG) July 21, 2019