The Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, has reopened criminal investigation case on allegations of forgery against the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), John Odigie-Oyegun, and some leaders of the party in Delta State.
The renewed action of the IGP followed PREMIUM TIMES report on forgery of official documents, which falsely declared Christopher Anirah dead in order to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) substitute him as the Sapele/Okpe/Uwvie Federal Constituency candidate of APC with Gibson Akporehe.
PREMIUM TIMES also reported how Fave Sewali, a deputy commissioner of police was transferred from his initial post at Edo State Police Command to Lagos for daring to invite Mr. Oyegun for questioning when Mr. Anirah (the person declared dead) petitioned the police.
Mr. Sewali’s transfer by IGP temporarily stalled investigation into the case.
PREMIUM TIMES gathered that the case has now been referred to the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), Abuja by the IGP for “thorough investigation before prosecution of the persons involved”.
A source at the police department, who preferred anonymity, said Mr. Anirah was invited to the FCID to give his statement, revealing that police had begun investigation into the matter and the APC national chairman was invited for questioning.
“You don’t worry, we working on the matter. When we conclude our investigation, the public will be told [about the outcome],” said the source.
When contacted for comment, Mr. Anirah also confirmed that he had honoured the invitation of the FCID to give statement.
Force Public Relations Officer, Emmanuel Ojukwu, neither answered nor returned phone calls and text messages sent to him.