How Edo CP’s Policy Is Slowing Down Investigations As Petitions Pile Up At Command Headquarters

BY MIKE OSAROGIAGBON

It is no longer the same when it comes to criminal investigations at the Edo State Police Command as delays arising from bureaucratic bottlenecks have taken hold, raising questions about rapid justice system.

Today, petitions seeking police investigation are piling up at the State Command Headquarters in Benin City. It is not because officers don’t want to work but because the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Monday Agbonike insists on personally approving every complaint for investigation to begin, Alltimepost.com was reliably informed.

Findings by our correspondent revealed that the practice has significantly slowed investigations, leaving several petitions unattended for months and creating a serious administrative bottleneck within the command.

It was also learnt that some petitions submitted in November are still lying on the Commissioner’s desk without approval. Meanwhile, prior to the development, petitions addressed to the Commissioner of Police received desired attention within days.

Checks further revealed that the delays have crippled the operations of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) and other tactical units, which depend on formally approved petitions to commence inquiries.

Some lawyers and other petitioners, while expressing concerns, warned that the prolonged inaction is denying complainants access to justice.

They noted that the situation can push aggrieved parties toward self-help, which they described is dangerous and counterproductive.

A dependable source hinted that the bottleneck tightened after the Commissioner allegedly stopped referring petitions to the office of the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Criminal Investigation Department (CID), which supervises major investigations.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, a lawyer described the situation as “absurd, unprofessional and unacceptable.”

“Last week, I personally had to meet the CP before my client’s petition was minuted for action. That is uncalled for.

“Why should I abandon my office to sit in the CP’s waiting room simply because I submitted a petition? Does he not have deputies and assistant commissioners to handle such matters? It is unacceptable”, he said.

Findings further revealed that, in frustration, some petitioners have taken their complaints to the office of the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), Zone 5 Headquarters, Benin City.

However, checks at the Zone 5 headquarters, Adesuwa Road, Benin City revealed that such petitions often receive little or no attention, as they are considered outside the AIG’s direct administrative jurisdiction and are expected to be handled by the State Commissioner of Police.

When contacted, CP Monday Agbonika confirmed that he personally reviews petitions before approving action.

“I need to look at the merits of the petition. You can tell the lawyer to see me,” he said.