Reprieve for police sergeant sacked 21 years ago

…Senate orders reinstatement of Olaniyan

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NIGERIA: THE Senate has directed the police high command to reinstate one Sergeant Amos Olaniyan who was alleged to have been verbally suspended from the Nigeria Police 21 years ago.

The Upper Chamber also ordered the police to grant Olaniyan his deserved promotion and all payments due to him since his suspension.

The directive followed the consideration and adoption of the recommendations of the Report of the Senator Sam Anyanwu-led Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petition that investigated the suspension of Sgt. Olaniyan from the Force.

The lawmaker representing Lagos West Senatorial District, Senator Solomon Adeola, had last October 6 presented the petition of Olaniyan, a member of the Senatorial District, to the Senate for consideration after the policeman alleged he was wrongly suspended from office.

Adeola, had during his presentation, told his fellow lawmakers that Olaniyan was verbally suspended in 1994 on a baseless allegation of bribery which an Orderly Room Trail discharged and acquitted him.

He explained that despite the discharge, the Police refused to recall him, even as he had his Police ID card and uniform.

The Senate had directed the Anyanwu committee to investigate the suspension and report back to the house.

Following the adoption, the Senate said: “That the officer Sergeant Amos Olaniyan be fully re-integrated into the Police Force with a letter of reinstatement and apology” and “That all his dues including promotions and entitlements be fully granted and paid,” a release signed by Chief Kayode Odunaro, the Media Adviser to Adeola, explained.

Adeola, in his reaction to the Senate’s decision, expressed joy that at last justice had been done to a member of his Senatorial district who had suffered for 21 years without any redress.

The senator reiterated that he would always fight for the interest of all members of his district and the people of Nigeria.

“I was greatly disturbed when I saw his petition as I did not believe this could happen to any citizen of Nigeria,” Adeola said.  “This was after he had written petitions to previous Inspector Generals of Police and the Police Service Commission and even late President Umaru Yar’adua to no avail.”

The highly elated lawmaker said he was happy for Olaniyan’s family, who had endured severe hardship and deprivation on the loss of job by their breadwinner.

The legislator, who promised that he would not relent on his efforts, stated that he would continue to work for his constituents who may have similar cases.

Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, stated that Nigerians who cannot afford legal fees should seek redress through the Senate.

Saraki told the Senate Police Affairs Committee to ensure that the police comply with the resolution and other similar resolutions and report back to the Senate in two weeks.