AIG Muri: Delay in Serving Justice to Criminals Reason for Rise in Crime

David-Chyddy Eleke in Awka

The Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 13 Ukpo, AIG Umar Muri, has said that crime festers because of inability to serve justice to criminals.

The AIG stated this in a reception organised for him by the zone, led by the Anambra State Commissioner of Police, CP Echeng Echeng, to mark his retirement from the force.

Muri, who was described by many subordinates at the event as a forthright police officer retired after putting in 32 years in the force.

Speaking during the occasion, Muri said his major reason for joining the force was to ensure justice for Nigerians, but regretted that even though justice delivery begins with the police, the slow nature of trials by the judiciary sector has made it impossible to serve justice to many criminals.

He said serving justice to criminals would serve as a deterrent to other persons who intend to join criminal enterprises.

“I always talk to my subordinates and I say, please ensure justice is served, no matter who is involved.

“Every justice administration starts with the Nigeria Police Force, but unfortunately, in the judiciary, justice delivery is very slow. Once a judge is transferred, cases remain stunted and crime continues to fester. But if people are served justice, it could be a deterrent to others,” Muri said.

Speaking on his career, Muri expressed thanks to God, saying that he was grateful to God to have been able to serve and retire creditably.

“I started service here in Anambra, and I’m ending it here. I have no regrets serving in Anambra State or in the police force. I didn’t join police because of money and I joined to give service. 

“I left the Nigeria Ports Authority where I was one of the legal advisers. I left as a level 10 officer to join the police as a level nine officer, so it was for me to be able to give justice.

“The police need to do their job very well and judiciary must do too. Justice must always be served within three months and that is how the country can be better.”

He also admonished younger officers saying, “The worst injustice to serve is to a poor man. If you serve injustice to a rich man, he will use his wealth to open other doors to gain justice, but the poor will simply say, ‘God punish you’ and God will surely punish you, and God will not fail to hear them.

“When you serve higher officers in the police, always pick their good habits and drop the bad one. Serving in police is really a fantastic experience and that is the easiest way to serve justice.”

Muri was praised by several officers including the Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, CP Echeng.

“Today is very emotional, especially for us in the zone and the Anambra State command. This is a man who joined the police out of passion and his commitment was exemplary.

“He has worked hard to make the police what it is today, and we urge younger officers to please emulate him,” Echeng said.