Mohammed Barde, the Commissioner of Police (CP) in charge during the most recent Adamawa governorship election, is the target of disciplinary action by the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, for his part in the improper announcement of a winner in the election.
Recall that Aisha Binani Dahiru, a candidate for the All Progressives Congress (APC), was improperly declared the winner of the election by the INEC’s suspended Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Hudu Yanusa-Ari.
According to Newsmen, Barde was questioned by the Nigeria Police Force in a letter dated June 1 for allegedly colluding with Yanusa-Ari and failing to do his duties.
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The letter, which was written to Barde, a CP for Imo State in office, arrived at 11 weeks after the police authorities withdrew him from election duties in the state over the controversial incident.
The letter, which The Whistler saw and which questioned CP Barde, was signed by the Inspector General of Police’s representative, Force Secretary AIG Habu Sani.
It partly read: “You are a Commissioner of Police in charge of Imo State Command, and by virtue of your rank and experience on the Job, you are expected to be conversant with extant laws, rules, and regulations guiding Police officers as well as exhibit a high level of professionalism and responsibility in all your actions but unfortunately, the reverse is the case.
“Recall that you were posted as Adamawa State Election Duty Commissioner of Police with the core mandate of supervising all aspects of security and related matters towards ensuring a peaceful and credible conduct of the election in line with the 2022 electoral Act as amended and other applicable laws as well as guidelines.
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“Your posting particularly placed you in charge of the Adamwa State supplementary Gubernatorial election held on 15th April, 2023.
“Following the completion of the voting, collation of results commenced appropriately but before the completion of the said collation exercise, you accompanied the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Adamawa State and provided him the needed security cover to unlawfully announce a result of an inconclusive election to the consternation of all and sundry.
“Knowing fully well that the said INEC REC is not empowered by law to announce any election result and being aware that the collation of results was yet to be concluded, you deliberately, willfully, and illegally colluded with the said REC to commit an electoral offense, undermine public trust, compromise a sensitive national assignment and impugned the integrity of the Nigeria Police Force.
“These intentional and disgraceful acts of yours were despite prior notifications and warnings by the Deputy Inspector General of Police Operations who called you via GSM on the 15th of April 2023 intimating you of intelligence regarding the plans by the REC to illegally announce results, which he eventually did with your due presence.
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“The totality of your actions which were captured in viral videos generated public outcry and condemnation, portrayed the Force in an extremely negative light, and would have occasioned an enormous crisis in the State if not for the prompt deployment of reinforcements.
“You have therefore undoubtedly debased the exalted rank of Commissioner of Police and brought the image of the Force to an all-time low.”
The CP was required by the police to provide an explanation of his “disgraceful” significant misbehavior within 48 hours, along with a justification for why no disciplinary action should be taken against him.
The CP is being questioned about his refusal to follow legal orders from superior officers, according to the police. “In that, you deliberately refused to heed the instructions of the DIG Operations who warned you of the illegal plans of the REC, contrary to rule 030301(m) of the Public Service Rules, 2009 as amended,” they said.
The state’s security was compromised as a result of his actions, according to the police, who also questioned him about acts of sabotage, split loyalty, and conduct unbecoming of a public official.
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“You are therefore required to explain within 48hrs of receipt of this query why disciplinary action should not be taken against you.
“Your explanation if any should be submitted through the appropriate channel within the stipulated period or it would be presumed that you have non to offer and the Inspector General of Police will be at liberty to take any action he deems appropriate in the circumstance,” the letter read.
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