- The Peace Corps of Nigeria (PCN) said it had secured 11 judgements delivered at various courts in Nigeria against the Nigerian Police Force (NPF)
- This was disclosed by the National Commandant of the Corps, Dr Dickson Akoh
- Akoh made the comment while appearing before the Senate committee on judiciary and human rights
The battle between the PCN and the NPF took the centre stage on Tuesday, May 30 as the Senate committee on judiciary and human rights commenced its investigations on the issue.
At the hearing, the PCN boss, Dr Dickson Akoh said they had secured 11 judgements delivered at various courts in Nigeria against the NPF.
According to him, at various rulings, the courts awarded cost to the Police, running to millions of naira.
Peace Corps boss, Dr Dickson Akoh addressing the Senate committee at the meeting
He however said the PCN had always restrain its lawyers not to enforce the judgements, as the funds won't come from the pocket of police but the federal government.
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He told the committee members that the 90-count charge filed against him by the NPF came about, when, after the raid and nothing incriminating was found against him, the police went to the bank and printed the statement of account of the Incorporated Trustees of the Peace Corps and his personal account.
He said: “Part of the 90-count charge of the police you are hearing is the salaries paid into my account while I was principal staff officer to the governor of Benue state, before I resigned.
“The N40,000 voluntarily paid into the trustees account by youths willing to be trained and all monies paid to our contractors handling supplies of materials needed by the Corps, are all count charges."
Akoh also said contrary to insinuations that the PCN was extorting money for award of ranks, it was the National Unity and Peace Corps under the leadership of Dr. Chinedu Nneji that was engaging in money-for-ranks deal.
He submitted evidences of extortions by Dr Nneji, which he claimed were parts of the 90-count charge erroneously preferred against him by the police.
He accused the Police of grand conspiracy against the PCN, alleging that the Inspector General of Police had sworn to make sure President Muhammadu Buhari did not sign the Nigerian Peace Corps Bill into law.
Cross section of participants at the Senate committee hearing
On the allegation of confrontations, Akoh said the activities of the PCN do not in any way conflict with other security agencies.
“Peace Corps is not a security outfit, but a youth based organization with activities in educational institutions only".
“We don't bear arms, we don't arrest or prosecute criminals. I don't know where the conflict or allegation of confrontations is coming from, but I know it did not start with us. Police did same to Road Safety, Civil Defence and other agencies that were established before now," Akoh said.
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The Nigeria police had arraigned Akoh in court on Monday, March 20. The police detained Akoh on Sunday, March 19 after he submitted himself for questioning at the FCT police command.
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