The public relations office of the Nigerian Police Force, Jimoh Moshood has explained reasons behind the arrest of a project tracking officer at BudgIT Nigeria, Mr Moses Motoni.
Mr. Moshood made this known on Wednesday while addressing the issue on Channels Television’s News Track.
“Moses Motoni is in police custody as we speak, and his bail condition is being perfected because the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris has directed that he should be released on bail.”
“He was arrested not by SARS as is being circulated. He was not arrested by SARS, he was arrested by the police team who are investigating the case of incitement of public disturbance against him,” Moshood said.
The police spokesman explained that it is the constitutional duty of the police to arrest anyone suspected of committing any offence.
He, however, noted that such must not be done with the sole aim of torturing the suspect while commencing investigations.
“For any Nigerian or any other person (citizen) alleged to have committed an offence or is planning to commit an offence, the police have a responsibility to arrest such a person and commence an investigation into all those activities.
“And it is in the pursuit of the law, the Judges Rule No. 1 permits the police to ask anybody question and where anybody is on a reasonable suspicion to be part of an offence that is being committed, to directly investigate.
“It was on record that on December 1 and 2 this year, Motoni with his team, Bida, Agbako and Tado area in Niger State on project monitoring. But a certain leaf that was circulated and a certain meeting and interaction that he had which promptly led to the disturbance of peace around the area and that is why he was arrested,” Moshood stated.
Although he denied any wrongdoing in the arrest of Motoni, he, however, maintained that he was arrested for an alleged public incitement and breaching of public peace.
“No, he was not arrested because of sensitisation activities. If you are going on educating the public, you have not committed any offence. But his arrest is based on inciting public disturbance which the police is currently investigating.
“The IGP has directed that the venue of the offence should be where the investigation should be continued to this matter. He was not arrested by SARS. He was actually arrested by a police team investigating the matter and brought into Abuja.
“I equally visited him before actually coming for your interview now. He is being released, he is in good health, nobody has maltreated him. Every position of the law as it regards the protection of rights of anybody is fully observed.”
He also dismissed allegations of police brutality on Motoni while in custody.
“Yes, in the next few minutes he is going to be out. I was with him, he is in good health, nobody has maltreated him. It is equally important for people to know that where anybody is planning to commit an offence, or have committed an offence, can be arrested by the police.”
