Nunieh lied claiming we weren’t aware of security operatives’ presence in her house – Rivers CP

*Explains reason for number of operatives deployed

*Says Nunieh not alone, with over 20 security personnel protecting her

By BASHIR ADEFAKA

“She is just being economical with the truth.  The officers came into our command.  We endorsed their investigation activities.  We are aware of their presence here.  So, nobody can say that we are not aware of their presence.”

The Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, Mr. Joseph Makun, has refuted claim by controversial former Acting Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Gbene Joi Nunieh, that he told her on phone he did not know anything about the presence of security operatives in her residence, when she called him to find out whether he knew.

Speaking on an ARISETV programme picked in video by The DEFENDER on Saturday, CP Makun did a stage-by-stage explanation of what happened.

“What actually happened, IGP Monitoring Unit came in from Abuja on a legitimate duty to invite the MD to Abuja.  But unfortunately, she refused to honour their invitation but instead called the governor, who came and whisked her to the Government House.”

On whether there was no protocol by which such invitation could have been extended to Joi Nunieh by email or other channel prior to the arrival of the agents, he said, “It wasn’t a surprise as such.  It depends on the urgency of the matter at hand.  There is a serious petition which needs a serious solution.  They came peacefully to invite her but she resisted that invitation.”

He also responded to question on a promise by Governor Nyesom Wike to investigate what happened when the CP said, “Definitely we expect the governor to turn her up.  If he is trying to say that he fears and wants to protect a citizen and now that he has realized the officers were on legitimate duty, reason goes to show that he should turn her over to police to continue their investigation.  I believe he will do that.  He cannot protect a criminal.  She is under suspicion.  Investigation will show whether she is culpable or not.  But when the investigation is being obstructed, how do you come up with a conclusive investigation?”

On how to gauge official investigation and being under suspicion, he said, “They were there to invite her.  Normal procedure was followed.  They introduced themselves to her.  They explained their mission to her but she resisted and did not cooperate with them, only for her to call the governor, who came into her residence.  Had it been she followed them, all these problems couldn’t have arisen,” CP Makun said.

On Nunieh’s claim that Rivers State Police Command told her when she called them on phone that they did not know anything about the presence of police operatives in her residence, the Police boss said, “She is just being economical with the truth.  The officers came into our command.  We endorsed their investigation activities.  We are aware of their presence here.  So, nobody can say that we are not aware of their presence.”

On what next after now the Rivers Police Commissioner said, “We are expecting the governor to turn her over especially now that he has confirmed the officers are here on legitimate duty.  So, I don’t believe that he is going to stop the police from doing their own legal duty.

“He will surely turn her up for proper investigation. He cannot block this woman from being investigated.  He cannot stop the law too, he is a lawyer.”

On whether the police needed the number of officers shown in an exclusive video to come and invite a single person for a chat or investigation, he said, “She is not alone in her house.  She has a armful of policemen, DSS and other security apparatus.  She has over 20 security personnel protecting her in her house.  So, our men didn’t have to take any chance.  It is not unusual to deploy such number.”

The CP also cleared the air on controversy about the time of arrival by the security operatives as to whether 4.30am is the usual time to come into someone’s house and invite her for investigation.

“That (time given) was exaggerated.  What time did the governor come and evacuate her, if she is saying that they came to her house at 4.30am,” he said, adding for clarity whether there is a timeline for the governor to turn her over or the police will just move on the Government House, that, “The police will do the needful.”