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| Governor Emmanuel's driver Mr. Bassey Edet Bassey, fraudulently impersonating Nigerian police offiers |
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has commenced investigation into the alleged police impersonation of a driver to the state Governor, Emmanuel Udom, Mr. Edet Bassey.
This is just as the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress faulted the state government for disrespecting the rule of law.
The Force Police Public Relations Officer, acting ACP Olabisi Kolawole, told one of our correspondents that the state Commissioner of Police, Murtala Mani, would get back to police authorities with the investigation report.
PUNCH Metro had reported on Monday that Bassey, from Cross River State, allegedly impersonated a policeman while discharging his duties.
An online news medium, SaharaReporters, had quoted sources close to the governor, adding that the governor’s driver had been wearing the police uniform for some time unchecked.
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The state Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mr. Aniekan Umanah, had told our correspondents that the governor was entitled to a police driver, while refusing to disclose whether Bassey was a policeman or not.
The Force PRO said on Monday that the police would follow a thorough investigation process into the matter.
She said, “Going by my interaction with the CP, he has directed investigation into the matter. He will get back with the investigation report. I cannot say whether the driver has been invited or not. The police will need to follow a thorough investigation process.”
However, the APC Publicity Secretary for the state, Mr. Ita Awak, said the driver’s alleged actions had shown that the Peoples Democratic Party-led government did not have respect for law and order.
He maintained that the governor’s driver’s impersonation of the police was a spill-over from the previous administration, which he added, was noted for impunity.
He said, “The governor’s driver’s impersonation shows that the PDP-led government does not have respect for law and order. It is a carry-over from the previous regime where things were done with impunity.”
Also, the chairman, Civil Liberties Organisation, Akwa Ibom State chapter, Mr. Clifford Thomas, queried the integrity of the governor for allowing his civilian driver to wear a police uniform and drive him around.
He said, “It was wrong of Governor Emmanuel and his driver to do that. You cannot get a civilian to wear a police uniform and drive a governor for whatever reason; it is wrong. Even with immunity, Emmanuel cannot do whatever he likes; that is the simple truth.”
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