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Don't Bring Returns to Me - Ekiti Police Chief
[April 16, 2010]

Don't Bring Returns to Me - Ekiti Police Chief


Ado-Ekiti, Apr 16, 2010 (Daily Independent/All Africa Global Media via COMTEX) -- Ekiti State Commissioner of Police (CP), Chris Katso, has warned officers and men of the command, as well as members of the public, not to contemplate bringing cash to him in the form of inducement, saying he did not need such to perform his legitimate duties in the state.



He pointed out that the Police would continue to lack the confidence and tenacity to effectively fight crime in the society until all issues bordering on extortion and other forms of corruption in the force are tackled head-long.

The CP, who gave the warning while briefing newsmen in Ado-Ekiti, said the measure was part of his strategy to ensure success of the renewed fight against corrupt police officers.


The Police boss also urged the media to support in this regard urging the journalists to always furnish the command with graphic or documentary evidence on cases of extortion established against any officer of the command, saying such would help in diligent prosecution of the case.

"Don't give me a blank allegation that Police are extorting money from people on the highway. I want specific cases. If you sight officers extorting money, you can use your camera and capture the scene; then I would have had a documentary evidence to deal with any officer involved. Without that I may not have any evidence to try any erring officer." Katso, therefore, warned the Divisional Police officers and other departmental heads in the state command not to bring any money to him in the form of returns, saying he had not put pressure on anyone to do so.

His words: "When I first met with my officers in the state, the issue of extortion took centre stage and I warned against it. I told them point-blank that I am not going to put pressure on any DPO or head of department to bring returns to me. Since I am not putting pressure, you must not put pressure on these boys. And if you don't put pressure on these boys, that means they must not put pressure on members of the public.

"Once we have achieved that, when we are dealing with anybody, we will deal with that person confidently. And told them any one caught extorting money on the highway will be picked and sent off after his or her trial. I make it very clear in the various lectures I delivered since my assumption of office, I have come to Ekiti to serve and I will continue to serve. I have maintained that record in all the places I have served and I will continue to guide that record jealously."

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