A retired Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mr Simeon Ajisafe, has appealed to the Inspector General of Police, Alkali Baba, to expedite action on the payment of his entitlements, saying that he now begs to feed his family.
Ajisafe, who walked into The PUNCH office in Ilorin, Kwara State on Friday afternoon, lamented the non-payment of his entitlements by the police authorities in the past 12 years.
This, he said, had inflicted hardship on him and his dependents.
He dropped a copy of an open letter titled “Re- Complaint of non-payment of my salary arrears and other entitlements ( AP/ No.36078, ACP Simeon A.E. Ajisafe (retd)”, which he addressed to the IGP.
“Above matter refers. My letter dated 10th November, 2022 routed through my lawyer, Victoria Echobu of Crescens Legal Associate on same issue to your ( IGP) office , is relevant,” Ajisafe stated.
Looking pale, the troubled retired police officer said:” My ordeal in the Nigeria Police Force dated back to 25th May, 2011, when I was unlawfully dismissed from the Force. After a long battle, I contested my case at the National Industrial Court , Abuja and was vindicated on 16th December, 2019.
“Following the judgement of the court, the chairman, Police Service Commission in his letter Ref. No. PSC/1524/IV/1/8/11 dated 28th July, 2021 upheld the court’s judgement; which was further endorsed by you(IGP) through your signal with reference No. CH: 7370/FS/FHQ/ABJ/ VOL.25/124 DTO: 281300/07/2021.
“On the 17th August, 2022, the follow up signal from the office of the Force secretary ref. No. Ap.36078/FS/FHQ/ABJ/T/2 DTO: 171840/08/2022, promoted and upgraded me to my desired rank of an Assistant Commissioner of Police with the date of my statutory retirement backdated to 1st April, 2021.”
He added, “Much as I appreciated your efforts so far, it is desirable that your clear directive in payment of my salary arrears and emoluments be given paramount consideration. The consequence of not receiving my salary arrears, pension, gratuity and other entitlements since over twelve (12) years ago are better imagined than experienced.
“I have faced serious financial embarrassment from many individuals, landlords, dependants, just a few, amongst myriads of financial challenges.
“In view of these catastrophic developments, I humbly enjoin the IGP to give urgent directive to whoever is holding onto my salary arrears. The MD, NPF Pensions Ltd and the director general of PENCOM are not exempted from these directives, having perfected all required documentation, with the two bodies.
“In view of my challenge, I have suffered gross under-remittance into my retirement savings account (RSA); which the duo have to harmonise and pay me my gratuity, pension and arrears of pensions without further delay. This is my SOS,” he pleaded.
