The Nigeria Police Force on Wednesday defended its decision to restrain the rearrested dismissed police officer, Vincent Makinde, with manacles placed on his legs.
The Daily Crucible reports that human rights activist, Femi Falana,SAN, had on Monday this week, called on the police to release Makinde, saying he has been detained at Asokoro Police station since the 11th November 2024 for a yet – to – be ascertained offence with the affected officer also chained while still in police custody.
“He has been detained at Asokoro Police station since the 11th November 2024 for an undisclosed offence. His legs have since been chained in the custody of the Police.
“A fellow police officer who took pity on the detainee has just sent his picture to me.
“I call on the Police Authorities to release ASP Makinde Vincent and investigate his dehumanisation in the police custody,” Falana reportedly said.
However, the Force spokesman, ACP Muyiwa Adejobi, in a release to refute the trending video of Vincent Makinde in leg chains claiming to be an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) and detained without cause as well as the call for his release by Falana, revealed that Makinde was dismissed in 2022 after investigation and orderly room trial for serious offences bordering on abuse of office, extortion, gross misconduct, dereliction of duty, and insubordination.
Describing the decision to put the suspect in chain as falling within the ambit of global practice, Adejobi said the Force deemed the measure as necessary to ensure the safety of officers, prevent another escape, and prevent any potential harm to Makinde and others around him, incase his aggressive demeanour erupts again.
He stated, “The Nigeria Police Force is aware of a viral video of one Vincent Makinde in leg restraint claiming he is an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) detained without cause, and a subsequent demand of his release by the renowned legal luminary and Human Rights Activist, Mr Femi Falana, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN). 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. 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. Being made aware of this, the Police authority issued a directive for his immediate re-arrest.
“The suspect was apprehended while impersonating 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. 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 aggravatingly resisting lawful detention.
“Vincent Makinde remains a dismissed police officer, serial criminal, and is currently in custody awaiting 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.
“The Nigeria Police Force remains dedicated to fostering transparency and accountability within its operations, striving to maintain the public’s trust and confidence. Through thorough investigations and strict protocols, the Force is steadfast in the pursuit of truth and justice, while ensuring that its personnel who violate the law are held accountable for their actions. This commitment is evident as the Nigeria Police Force continues to work tirelessly to uphold the rule of law and reinforce the integrity of policing,” Adejobi stated.
•cover pix : Vincent Makinde.
•source: SR.
