Ex-IG Arase denies returning cars to police, threatens legal action

The immediate past Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Solomon Arase, has denied a report that he returned 19 cars allegedly carted away on retirement.

He threatened to institute a legal action if the “embarrassment” does not cease.

His denial was in response to a report that the leadership of the police has taken delivery of 19 assorted cars allegedly taken away by him when he was retiring. The cars, said to be 24 in number, were alleged to have been shared between the former IGP and members of his management team, the Deputy Inspectors-General of Police (DIGs) who retired along with him.

According to the report, the special investigation panel identified and recovered the cars, including Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) and Pick-up vans, from the IGP.

The report further said the investigation unit was still working on recovering the remaining five vehicles allegedly in the custody of one of the retired DIGs.

But a statement by Arase stressed: “So, there couldn’t have been any vehicle recovered from me. If there was any such, those behind this campaign of calumny should please make the number-plates of the vehicles public and where they were recovered from.

“It is embarrassing for me to wake up on Monday morning to be inundated with calls and messages on purported 19 vehicles recovered from me. I wish to reassure the general public that there was nothing like that. Like I said in July, I did not take any police vehicle with me outside what I am entitled to, and so, there couldn’t have been any vehicle recovered from me. If there was any such, those behind this campaign of calumny should please make the number plates of the vehicles public and from where they were recovered.

“Rather than dissipating so much energy on ‘project drag Arase down,’ I urge those behind this evil campaign to face their official responsibility for which much is expected from them by the nation. I have done my bit and my own records bear me witness. Let those daily frightened by the shadow of Arase learn to face reality and stop chasing shadows so that they are not hunted by same.”

Meanwhile, the chairman, Senate Committee on Police Affairs, Mr. Abu Ibrahim, yesterday expressed worry that the issue was coming up months after it had intervened to resolve it. “I shall get back to you in 30 minutes’ time,” he said.