Why We Declared Babaginda’s Spokesman, Afegbua Wanted – Police

The Police have explained why the spokesperson for former
Military President, General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida, Mr Kassim
Afegbua, was declared wanted.

Mr Afegbua was declared wanted on Monday, a day after he issued
a statement on behalf of General Babangida, asking President
Muhammadu Buhari not to seek re-election.

A controversy started not long after he issued the statement
when a second statement was issued in which the former military
President denied authorising the statement.

In declaring Mr Afegbua wanted, the police advised him to report
to the nearest police station.

On Tuesday morning, the Police Public Relations Officer, Jimoh
Moshood, told Channels Television that Mr Afegbue made “injurious
falsehood”, among other criminal offences.

“The Inspector General of Police has ordered his arrest for
giving false statement, making injurious falsehood and equally
defamation of character or an act which is inimical to law and
order in the country,” Mr Moshood said when he appeared on the
breakfast show, Sunrise Daily.

He added that the police became involved after General Babangida
denied authorising the statement.

He, however, declined to give details about the progress the
police have made in its investigation when asked if the former
military president had been contacted to confirm whether he issued
the statement.

Mr Moshood also declined to disclose whether Mr Afegbua had been
invited by the police or contacted before being declared
wanted.

“We have not reached any conclusion because we have commenced an
investigation into the matter and that is why he is wanted by the
police to come and give an explanation,” the Police PRO said.

“There is no way we can conclude any investigation through the
media, it is not done. And whatsoever Kassim said, let him come and
tell us because we have opened up a case against him and he must
come and provide answers to all the questions.”

The Police have explained why the spokesperson for former
Military President, General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida, Mr Kassim
Afegbua, was declared wanted.

Mr Afegbua was declared wanted on Monday, a day after he issued
a statement on behalf of General Babangida, asking President
Muhammadu Buhari not to seek re-election.

A controversy started not long after he issued the statement
when a second statement was issued in which the former military
President denied authorising the statement.

In declaring Mr Afegbua wanted, the police advised him to report
to the nearest police station.

On Tuesday morning, the Police Public Relations Officer, Jimoh
Moshood, told Channels Television that Mr Afegbue made “injurious
falsehood”, among other criminal offences.

“The Inspector General of Police has ordered his arrest for
giving false statement, making injurious falsehood and equally
defamation of character or an act which is inimical to law and
order in the country,” Mr Moshood said when he appeared on the
breakfast show, Sunrise Daily.

He added that the police became involved after General Babangida
denied authorising the statement.

He, however, declined to give details about the progress the
police have made in its investigation when asked if the former
military president had been contacted to confirm whether he issued
the statement.

Mr Moshood also declined to disclose whether Mr Afegbua had been
invited by the police or contacted before being declared
wanted.

“We have not reached any conclusion because we have commenced an
investigation into the matter and that is why he is wanted by the
police to come and give an explanation,” the Police PRO said.

“There is no way we can conclude any investigation through the
media, it is not done. And whatsoever Kassim said, let him come and
tell us because we have opened up a case against him and he must
come and provide answers to all the questions.”