“The last I wanted to be was a Police officer.” This was Commissioner of Police Tunde Ogunsakin’s response to my question on why he joined the Nigeria Police. According to him, the incident of the Ali-Must-Go of 1978 did not make him to like the Police job.
But destiny is an occurrence or course of events that will inevitably happen to a person or a thing. It can even be viewed as a predetermined fate. Little did he know that fate had a place for him in the Police force?
On first contact, you can tell that Mr. Tunde Ogunsakin is cerebral; very insightful. He goes more for a psychologist but his line of job as a police officer speaks in his actions, looks and response to question.
Tunde Ogunsakin does not wear his rank but carries his job with him everywhere. He sees himself first as an officer of the law.
In a very rare 60-minute chat, Mr. Ogunsakin shared with African Interest what led him to becoming a law enforcement officer, to his experiences on the job including people who shaped his life in the Police.
He never claimed any credit to himself; he believed and attributed his accomplishments to his mentors, and people he believed helped to shape his career in the Police. “These people,” according to Ogunsakin, are instrumental to my career in the Force.
Tunde Ogunsakin went to elementary and secondary schools in Ikere-Ekiti, Ondo State and graduated from Obafemi Awolowo University with a degree in Political Science/History.
Though the young student of Political Science never planned to be a Police Officer, that was the last thing ever to cross his mind but something happened that became a turning point in young Tunde’s life.
During his national Youth Service year, he was to travel to Epe to attend a party with his friend. On this fateful day, his friend car ran out of fuel and Tunde had to wait in the car while his friend went to look for fuel.
“As I was waiting for my friend in the car, I suddenly heard a knock on the car window,” Tunde said. “The police man apparently drunk accused me of parking at obstruction, “Tunde continued. All of his explanation and attempts to reason with the drunken office fell on deaf ears. While Tunde was trying to open the door to come of the car in obedience to the Police Officer, the officer fell in the gutter losing some buttons on his uniform. To Tunde’s surprise, the officer lied that he was beaten by Tunde and his gang members who disappeared after beating him. Tunde and his friend were arrested and taken to the Police Station. While at the Station no charges were filed yet but they were still detained.
“After many hours of waiting, an assistant superintendent (cadet), not in uniform appeared and asked me for details of what happened, “Tunde said. It was this fine officer that saved Tunde and his friend from being charged for offense they never committed. The Police officer who came to Tunde in his friend’s car was not on duty, he was on leave. According to him, he did not really enjoy the party as he kept thinking of what happened at the Police Station.
Ogunsakin later went back to the Police Station to see the Asp who saved the previous weekend.
“I went back to see the officer because I was curious to know why he chose to be a Police officer, Ogunsakin explained.” It was the officer’s explanation that changed the mind of a once-not- a –friend of the Police to becoming not just a Police Officer but one of its finest officers.
In 1982, Ogunsakin enlisted into the Nigeria Police Force as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP). His Police career began in 1984 in Ibadan as a Divisional Crime Officer, Bodija Police Station. In less than a year as a Police Officer, Ogunsakin’s quest for something higher made him to boldly approach his Commissioner that he would like to join the Mobile Police. He was initially turned down because it takes about 3 years of Cadet Experience before one can be mobilised. But in less than two years, 1985 to be precise, he mobilised in Police Mobile Force (PMF) and attended Anti-Riot Mobile Police Training Gwoza, Borno State. He was the Unit Commander No. 4 Squadron, Ibadan. According to him, what he enjoyed most as a Mopol was making sure that citizens were safe. He remembered how they keep vigil on the streets while citizens were enjoying their sleeps. He also shared his experience working on the team that put an end of the notorious Lawrence Anini’s reign of terror. Lawrence Anini was a leader of an armed robbery gang that terrorised the Nigerian public for many months.
Tunde Ogunsakin spoke highly of Mrs. Christy Koloko, Deputy Commissioner of Police (rtd), the head of Traffic Division in Ibadan at the time he was there. According to him, she helped shape his view of responsible police work, though she was a hard nut to crack for corrupt police officers, but Mrs. Koloko would not even want to release him when it was time for him to go. “I was fortunate to have worked with her. The lesson I learned from her remained with me. She taught me how to be confident, bold and stand for what is right and true,” Ogunsakin said. Another person who helped shaped Ogunsakin’s career in the Force is Mrs. Ojomo who retired as Deputy Inspector General of Police and Ibrahim Coomasie a former Inspector General Police. “These people taught me the principle of integrity because they are incorruptible, people with pedigree, “he said. “These people are blessings to the Police Force,” he concluded.
Ogunsakin worked as Personal Assistant to DIG Ojomo and learned a lot from the incorruptible officer. According to him, Ibrahim Coomasie also played important role in his career.
In 1989, Ogunsakin joined the Interpol Lagos as a detective Superintendent. At Interpol, he became head and shoulders above the rest and he was made the officer in-charge of Organised Crime Division, Officer in-charge of Europe/North America Economic and Financial Crime Division and ACP in-charge of Interpol.
While in Interpol, he performed liaison duties with visiting Interpol Officers from Canada, Britain, Holland, France and Italy on investigation in Nigeria.
In his years of Police career, Ogunsakin has led and participated in investigation of significant and milestone cases. The anti-corruption czar no nut is too hard to crack and there are no sacred cows when it comes to fighting organized crimes.
In 1991, he led investigations into $20million fraudulent transfer from NEPA Accounts in London/USA to a Geneva Bank. The funds were recovered, suspects apprehended and charged to court.
In 1992, Ogunsakin led another investigation, this time into fraud on NIDB Accounts in Britain and Switzerland. Suspects were also caught and charged to court. He was also the lead investigator into the Nigerian Re-insurance Corporation fraudulent transfer of funds from its accounts in London/France to Taiwan, Hong Kong. Funds recovered, suspects arrested and charged to court.
In 1993 Ogunsakin led investigations into the kidnapping of a Briton, John Hillman by Nigerian fraudsters for a ransom of $380, 000. Mr. Hillman was rescued, while suspects were apprehended and charged to court.
In 1994 the Canadian embassy suspected visa fraud emanating from its embassy in Nigeria. Ogunsakin worked with Canadian Police, mounted troops in unveiling visa racketeering syndicate specialized in forging of Egypt, Nigerian/Canadian visas in Nigeria. Culprits were apprehended and repatriated to China. According to him, Assistant Inspector General Police Ibrahim Coomasie (he later became the Inspector General Police until 1999) and the present head of the Nigeria Police Service Commission, DIG Parry Osayande supported him. Ogunsakin was a Deputy Superintendent of Police, working at the Bar beach Police Division at the time. While working on this case, he clashed with his boss a Commissioner of Police and another Asst Commissioner of Police who wanted the case dropped. Ogunsakin insisted on seeing the case through and he succeeded in closing the case which led to the deportation of the Taiwanese behind the syndicate.
In 1996, he led another investigation into fraudulent transfer of US$5million from Intercontinental Merchant Bank Ltd account to Banks in Bahamas, Canada and USA. Total sum was recovered, while suspects were arres
ted and charged to court. In the same year, Ogunsakin was the lead investigator into the case of Hijack/Murder of a Nigerian vessel and its crew members on the West Africa Coast. Suspects were apprehended and jailed in Guinea-Conakry.
From 2000-2001 he was a member of the Federal Government Investigative Panel on Education Tax. N7.5billion was recovered and paid into Central Bank of Nigeria Accounts of Federal Inland Revenue Services. He also investigated the N21million INEC case. Funds were recovered. He led the investigations for the recovery of N650million MTEL funds.
His accomplishments as a Crime Fighter have earned him chairmanship and membership of several government panels and committees.
In 2001 the Obasanjo government appointed him as the Chair of the Investigative Panel on Jos market Fire disaster. In 2002 he was a member of the Panel of Inquiry into the activities and account of the Nigerian Coal Corporation. He also served on the Panel of Inquiry into the petition against accounting officers of the Federal Ministry of Solid Minerals.
He was part of the team that investigated the Apo 6 killings in 2005.
He led a joint team of Police, SSS and EFCC officers that pulled down the notorious Oluwole Street known as Heaven of Certificate forgeries. Perpetrators were arrested, vital evidences were recovered and 17 suspects convicted.
He also served on the Federal Government Administrative Panel on Corrupt Politicians. In 2008 he chaired the Federal Government Administrative Panel of Inquiry on AFC and CBN The sum of US $480M Recovered and paid into FED GOVT ACCOUNT AT JP MORGAN BANK NEW YORK
In 2010, he was appointed a member of the Federal Government Standing Committee on Prison Decongestion.
To him fighting crime is not complete without rubbing minds with like minds. He believes in capacity development and this showed in his activities and involvements in conferences across the globe. He has attended several conferences both locally or internationally which include the following:
In 1991 he attended the Africa/Euro Fraud Conference, held in Lyon, France
In 1993 he was at the Organised Crime Conference held in Lyon, France
He attended the 1994 Conference on Advance Fee Fraud, Lyon, France
He was a member of the Nigerian Delegation to the 1995 63rd INTERPOL General Assembly in Rome, Italy
Between 1995 and 1997, he actively participated in the ground work and the initiative for the formation of the West African Police Chiefs Committee
He was a member of the Nigerian Delegation at the West African Police Chiefs Committee Meeting held in Abuja, Nigeria
He played significant role in Nigeria’s organization and hosting of the West Africa Ministers of Interiors and Security Meeting held in Abuja in 1999.
In 1999, Ogunsakin was the Leader of the Nigerian Delegation to the 3rd meeting on Economic Crimes of the English Speaking African Sub-Region held in Windhoek, Namibia
In 2000, he was a member of Nigerian Delegation to the 69th INTERPOL General Assembly held in Athens, Greece in 2001 he was a participated at the World Summit on Fund derived from illicit activities held in Monte Carlo, Monaco, France
And in 2002 he was the Leader of Delegation on Computer Crimes Investigation Seoul, South Korea.
To get to his present position in the Police Force, Ogunsakin has attended professional courses.
They are as follows:
In 1990, Senior Police Detective Course, Jos
1996, Company Fraud Foundation Course Detective College, Hendon, London.
1997, Intermediate Command Course Police Staff College, Jos.
2003, Senior Command Course Police Staff College, Jos.
As an asset to the Police Force, Ogunsakin has held prominent position which include
Assistant Commissioner of Police in-charge of Criminal Investigation Department-Jos Plateau
ACP in-charge of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Criminal Investigation Department-Abuja
Officer in-charge of Inspector General of Police Monitoring Unit- 2002/2003, 2005/2006.
ACP Provost Marshal, Abuja
ACP Force Secretary, Abuja
Head Investigation Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, Abuja.
Director of Operations – 2008/2009
Economic and Financial Crimes Commissions, EFCC
Deputy Commission of Police, Force Computer Officer, Abuja.
While sharing his experience at the ICPC, he showed high regards for Justice Ayoola. He said Justice Ayoola always keeps him on his toes. “He will always want me to prove to him how a case is fit for prosecution. It’s always like a mock trial,” Ogunsakin narrated. According to him, Justice Ayoola is another honest and incorruptible person he has worked with. He considers himself so fortunate to have met these people.
Presently, Ogunsakin is the Commissioner of Police, Special Fraud Unit. With this new appointment, he becomes the 17th Commissioner of Police Special Fraud Unit. Working at the Special Fraud Unit has not been that easy, yet he has had many cases cracked.
He admitted he has had series of challenges doing his job as a detective but specifically, he said the Special Fraud Unit faces funding challenges. He explained that the Special Fraud Unit is been underfunded not because of Government neglect but of so many competing interests. To fight crime, he maintained, certain tools must be made available, such as transportation, investigation tools. With his experience and background working in the Interpol, Ogunsakin believes that Nigeria Police needs some essentials tools to compete with international community in combating crime. To him, what the Nigerian Police lack are the modern tools, though without it, they still get the job done, but it would be a lot easier and faster if those tools are made available.
He expresses no regret taking the decision in 1982 to join the Nigeria Police and remains grateful to his mentors and role models who helped to shape his career. His dream is to restore the good image of the Nigerian Police and reduce corruption to minimal level if not eradicate it.