A legal practitioner, Mr Taidi Jonathan, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to set up a panel to investigate allegations of corruption against the Police High Command.
Jonathan, a former Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Minna, gave the advice in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday.
“This is a novel scenario and I will advise the Federal Government to first of all set up an independent body to investigate the allegations against the police.
“It is only when the police are not found wanting that they will have the moral right to investigate Sen. Isah Misau. In law, you cannot be a judge in your own case.
“The ongoing altercation between Sen. Misau, a former Police Officer and the Inspector General of Police, calls for caution in view of the sensitive nature of the allegations and counter allegations,’’ Jonathan said.
He said that the I-G, as the chief law enforcement officer of Nigeria, should not have descended into the arena with the allegations made by the senator.
He also said Misau should be investigated, especially the circumstances of his resignation from the police force.
Jonathan said that when ascertained to be untrue, then the police authorities could subject the senator to interrogation on any allegations against him.
The lawyer advised the police and the Senate to exercise caution in handling of allegations in public domain.
He said that thorough investigation by an independent body would add value to the ongoing fight against corruption in the country.
He urged Nigerians to expose corrupt public officers who embezzled public funds as part of their support to the present administration’s fight against corruption.
Misau had accused the police high command of collecting bribe through its formations nationwide estimated at N10 billion monthly.
The police spokesman, CSP Jimoh Moshood, had earlier in his reaction, said there was no element of truth in Misau’s claims.
He also said that I-G Ibrahim Idris had already set up a panel to investigate Misau’s claims.