Inside Details Of Failed Demotion Of Edgal Imohinmi, Lagos Police Boss

CYRIACUS IZUEKWE 

More facts have emerged about the intrigues that took place within the police circle that led to the attempted demotion of the acting Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr Imohimi Edgal by the Police Service Commission.

PSC led by the former Inspector General of Police, Mr Mike Okiro had through its secretary written a letter to the Inspector General of Police informed him about the demotion of the acting Commissioners of Police in Kogi (Ali Janga) and Lagos States.

The PSC also directed that the officers concerned should revert to their former ranks before they were appointed Acting  Commissioners of Police.

The decision meant that Edgal will be reverted to the rank of the Deputy Commissioner of Police, DCP and cannot head the Lagos Police Command with that rank.

P.M.EXPRESS gathered that the decision came as shock to many who pointed intrigues and jealousy within the police circle on the rapid promotion and performance of Edgal as the motives behind the attempt to demote the police boss.

It was gathered that when Edgal was promoted to the rank of Deputy Commissioner of Police, and the promotion was backdated to six years, barely few months in that position, he was again promoted to Acting Commissioner of Police in charge of Lagos Command.

Police sources said that in spite of  Edgal having those rapid promotions, some of his course mates were already AIGs and DIGs, yet he was said to have remained patient and persevered before the latest position.

Sources also claimed that the police boss attracted much enemies within the police circle after he displayed overwhelming competence by providing  adequate security in the state and reduced the crime rate to the barest minimum.

While within the police circle, they saw the demotion as a normal routine in the force and were of the view that Edgal had to accept the decision and move on.

But the decision of the PSC was greeted with resentment by the public and even the Lagos State Government who are pleased with his performances in Lagos.

Some police officers who spoke on the matter said had it been the demotion stays, Edgal would have vacated his present position or go on transfer elsewhere as DCP.

P.M.EXPRESS learnt that after Imohimi was appointed the Acting Commissioner in Lagos, he introduced some well thought out policies that not only endeared him to the state government but got him commendations from residents.

The people were so elated about the community policing policy he introduced where people were made stakeholders in matters of security in the state.

However, not minding the achievements, some senior police officers appeared not happy and tried to indict him for not proposing such good policies to his former boss, Mr Fatai Owoseni.

It was also gathered that Edgal performed well during the period he acted as Commissioner when Owoseni travelled abroad on leave.

He was able to dislodge the Ikorodu-dreaded cult group, Badoo Boys, destroyed their shrines, arrested their leaders and reduced crime in the state drastically.

The achievements were made within a short time before Owoseni returned and already gained ground until he was eventually made the acting commissioner.

It was gathered that all these noble achievements exposed his competence and some people within and outside the police circle were not happy.

They felt he did not cooperate with Owoseni by sharing those information which enabled him to perform.

These groups were said to be trying to do everything possible to ensure that he was frustrated and removed which they attempted through the Commission.

P.M.EXPRESS gathered that those behind the ploy to bring Edgal down hatched and executed the failed plot in Abuja.

The office of the IGP reacted through the Force Public Relations Officer, Moshood Jimoh and declared that the PSC had no such power to demote any officer as such Edgal will remain the CP in Lagos State.

The Lagos State government also insisted that they will stand by Edgal and that the decision was not acceptable to the government.

The demotion also attracted comments by some media practitioners who cried foul, saying it was a ploy to compromise the security of the state by some people who were not happy with Edgal good performance.

However, chairman of the PSC, Mike Okiro later came out in a message to the IGP to disregard the demotion letter and affirmed that Edgal was not demoted and removed as CP.

It was not yet certain whether the PSC secretary acted alone without approval from the members including Okiro as chairman.

P.M.EXPRESS gathered that the PSC members might have given the approval for the letter to be served but the reaction of the people may have forced them to reverse the decision.