The Nigeria Police Force has recommended a former Governor of Plateau State, Chief Joshua Dariye, for another criminal trial for his role in the attack on some operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
The report of the police investigation into the attack, exclusively obtained by our correspondent on Sunday, revealed that there was enough evidence to prosecute Dariye for his involvement in the December 7, 2005 incident.
Specifically, the report wants Dariye tried for conspiracy, aiding the commission of offence, assault on public officers, obstructing them from the performance of their lawful duty and failing to prevent the attack.
A copy of the report, which was prepared by the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Ogbonna Onovo, has also been sent to the Chairman of the EFCC, Mr. Nuhu Ribadu.
The report states, �This is a case of conspiracy, assault, mischief and theft reported to the (then) Inspector- General of Police through the Plateau State Police Command against the (former) Governor of Plateau State and 23 others, who are serving members of the Police and State Security Services.
�On 7/12/2005, at about 1600 hours, a team of EFCC investigators, led by Superintendent of Police, Mr. Illiyasu Kwarbai, reported to the Plateau State Command, that at about 1530 hours, while they were performing their lawful duties at one Mr. Haruna Dariye�s house at Zaramaganda Area in Jos, a group of policemen and SSS officials attached to Dariye attacked them and inflicted bodily injuries on them.
�They further stated that the men also destroyed the windscreens and body panels of their official vehicles and stole some incriminating documents earlier recovered from some top officials of the Plateau State Government.
�Consequently, the case was incidented and a Deputy Superintendent of Police, Mr. Joseph Turman, and team were detailed to investigate. They proceeded to the scene immediately and recovered vandalised vehicles and safe.
�The injured officials were taken to the Jos University Teaching Hospital where the two of them in a critical condition were admitted. The rest took refuge at the Police Headquarters.�
After investigating the attacks, Onovo took statements from the suspects and the victims of the attack. The DIG added that the former governor was also interrogated but that he denied knowledge of the incident.
The report also recommended that the former Chief Security Officer to Dariye, Mr. Daniel Ayali, be issued a query for misconduct to wit: conspiracy and obstructing public officers from the performance of their lawful duty.
Besides, the report wants 15 policemen whose ranks range from corporal to sergeant to be tried in orderly room and charged with conspiracy, assault and obstructing public officers from carrying out their lawful duty.
It also asked that the 15 policemen be tried for disturbance of public peace; causing grievous bodily harm; mischief; failing to prevent the commission of offence; aiding and abetting the commission of offence; professional and gross misconduct, discreditable conduct and conduct unbecoming of police officers.
Concerning the men of the SSS, the report said, �They also committed the same offences as stated against the police officers. It is recommended that the Director of SSS initiate disciplinary proceedings against them and to be red-deployed thereafter.�
Dariye is currently facing money laundering charges and criminal breach of trust at a Federal High Court and an Abuja High Court in Abuja.
While the Federal High Court granted him bail on Monday, the Abuja High Court ordered that he should be held at Kuje Medium Prison.