By Uche Amunike
The case of the Nigerian Police officer demoted for pledging allegiance to a cult group in a TikTok video that went viral has caused great controversy across the nation as the Police Force has proven, by his demotion, that it will go at such great lengths to continue to uphold the ideals of the Nigerian Police Force.
The affected Police officer, Mr Isaac Mathews, who was until his trial, a Police Corporal attached to the Ebonyi State Police command, was on May 7, 2022, seen fully dressed in his police uniform in a viral video dancing, singing and brandishing a rifle, while showering praises of an undisclosed cult group.
Following this, he was later arrested and taken to the police headquarters where he faced an orderly room trial which led to his demotion from Corporal to Constable.
In a statement released to Newsmen and signed by the Public Relations Officer at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, it was confirmed that the case of this Police Officer Demoted would serve as a deterrent to other erring officers.
In the statement titled ‘CULTISM: POLICE APPROVE PUNISHMENT OF REDUCTION IN RANK FOR CORPORAL CAUGHT IN TIKTOK VIDEO’, Adejobi stated that the decision of having the police officer demoted follows the outcome of the orderly room trial of the concerned officer and also a review of the recommended punishment for the offences of Discreditable Conduct, Promoting Secret Cults and Violation of the Social Media Policy (SMP) of the Nigerian Police Force.
The statement further noted that the Inspector General of Police, IGP Usman Ali baba, charged all police officers to uphold the discipline and professional ethics of the Nigerian police force while being committed to self discipline in line with the IGP’s policy agenda of restoration of professional standards, ethical regeneration and enhancement of anti-corruption drive with a view to having the desired police institution Nigerians deserve.
It also stated: ‘This decision follows the outcome of the Orderly Room Trial of the concerned officer and a review of the recommended punishment for the offences of Discreditable Conduct, Promoting Secret Cults and violation of the Social Media Policy (SMP) of the Nigeria Police Force.’
‘The Force is currently looking into many other disciplinary cases of unprofessionalism and misconduct by officers in encounters with members of the public. Meanwhile, orderly room trials are ongoing and decisions reached at the end of such trials will be made known as the current police administration is committed to a transparent, accountable and proactive policing system in Nigeria.’
Recall that when this event, which has now led to the Police Force ensuring that this police officer is demoted, happened on May 7 2022, Adejobi described it as an act that was clearly calculated to portray the Nigerian police force in negative light and one that was also a discreditable conduct in line with the provisions of the First Schedule to Regulation 370 of the Police Regulations.
