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Senate Summons IGP Over Controversial Frequency Band Sale

By David Abellegah on October 20, 2012

Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar

The Senate Committee on Communications has commenced a full investigation into the contentious sale of 450 MHz Frequency Band supposedly belonging to the Police by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

The Senate Committee Chairman on Communications, Senator Gilbert Nnaji disclosed that the committee is already working hard to come to the root of the showdown between the NCC and the Nigeria Police Force over the sale.

Senator Nnaji who has been away for the ITU TELECOM WORLD conference held in United Arab Emirate, Dubai, on his return stressed that, his committee will leave no stone unturned investigating the matter.

The committee was said to have already requested a detailed report on the matter from the NCC Executive Chairman, Dr. Eugene Juwah.

Nnaji described the development as unfortunate, adding that the situation could have been resolved in-house. He however stressed that, such upsetting and pointless quarrel was capable of undermining every effort of government to stop the rising tide of insecurity in the country and lift the revenue shape of Nigeria.

He further added that, the intervention was necessary and timely if the ugly trend must be stopped.

Nnaji warned that, any person or persons found guilty by the committee would be held responsible and bear the consequences of his or her actions.

The Ministry of Police Affairs had suspected that the NCC re-sold the 450MHz spectrum licence to OpenSkys Limited, after it originally sold the same frequency licence to the Nigerian Police, which they have used since 2009.

NCC’s Director of Public Affairs, Mr. Tony Ojobo had insisted that the sale was based on a presidential directive of 5th July 2007, contained in the Nigerian Communications Act.

On the other hand, censors have maintained that the sale was done with no regard to national security for which the Police stand for.

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