Atedo Peterside, founder of Stanbic IBTC Bank Plc, has faulted the invitation of Muhammadu Sanusi, the Emir of Kano, by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) headquarters in Abuja.
Sanusi was invited for questioning over alleged killings during the recent Eid-el-Fitr celebration.
In a letter dated April 4 and signed by Olajide Ibitoye, commissioner of police, on behalf of the deputy inspector-general of police in charge of the force intelligence department (FID), Abuja, the police asked Sanusi to attend an investigative meeting on April 8.
During the Eid-el-Fitr celebration last Sunday, some members of a vigilance group who were said to be part of Sanusi’s entourage were allegedly attacked and killed.
Sanusi presided over the Eid prayer at the Kofar Mata Eid prayer ground in Kano.
Abba Yusuf, governor of the state, and other government officials attended the Eid prayer session.
The Kano police command had constituted an eight-member panel to investigate the killing.
Abdullahi Kiyawa, the Kano police spokesperson, said the incident occurred despite the ban on durbar activities by the force.
In a post on X on Sunday, Peterside said the Kano police command should have quizzed the monarch.
“What is Nigeria Police Force trying to turn Nigeria into? Has Nigeria become a Police State? Is there any question that the Commissioner of Police cannot legitimately ask the Emir of Kano in Kano on behalf of his Abuja bosses?” he asked.
Peterside added that invitations across state boundaries are a “form of harassment” and should be discouraged.
