By Hosea Parah, Abuja

The former Inspector General of Police and Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Dr. Solomon Arase, has taken legal action against three staff members of the International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR) for alleged defamation of character. Dr. Arase claims that the published reports were calculated to bring him to contempt, ridicule, and odium.

According to reports, the Nigeria Police Force invited Mr. Nurudeen Akewushola, a staff of ICIR, over his defamatory publications against Dr. Arase. Dr. Arase immediately instructed his solicitors to act on his behalf upon learning about the publications. In a letter dated February 23, 2024, the solicitors demanded an immediate retraction of the defamatory publication within a specified timeline. Failure to comply with the demand would result in Dr. Arase seeking redress in court.

Subsequently, Dr. Arase filed a civil action at the Federal Capital Territory High Court against Mr. Nurudeen Akewushola, Victoria Bamas, Mr. Dayo Aiyetan, and the Registered Trustees of ICIR. The case has been assigned to a court of competent jurisdiction for hearing.

While acknowledging that the Nigeria Police Force has the right to investigate matters with potential criminal elements, Dr. Arase, being a legal practitioner and the head of the Police Service Commission, asserts his law-abiding nature. He has chosen to pursue a civil action to challenge the defamatory words published against him and restore his esteemed reputation.

Dr. Arase has made it clear that he will refrain from discussing the matter in the media or engaging in any unlawful entanglement with police powers.

The case is expected to progress through the legal system, and both parties will have an opportunity to present their arguments and evidence in court.