An official of the Nigerian Police Force identified as Julius Adewale
Adedeji, who is said to have never taken a bribe before, has been
celebrated by BBC as Nigeria’s ‘most dedicated police officer’.
While
speaking in an interview following the recognition by the international
media organization, he said; “I was just performing my duty. I didn’t
know I was being watched. I thank God that it’s recognized and I feel
like putting my best more and more.
“A copy of the letter was
delivered to my office for my information, when I read through it, I was
wondering could it be true? I read through the letter and I saw that it
said, they wanted an institution where they can name and shame those
that are not doing well and encourage the people that are doing well
within the Nigerian police force, I felt so great.”
When as
asked if he has been offered money before, he said; “Absolutely. And
even today a person offered to give me some money and I said ‘no, no,
no, no why would you do that, I’m just doing my work’. They were
surprised.”
When asked if he’s not tempted to take bribe as
synonymous with many policemen around the country, he said; “Of course,
there’s no way one would not once in a while be tempted, but I just want
to do what is right.”
On his colleagues in the Police force who
are in the habit of taking bribes, he said; “Of course, there are bad
eggs everywhere in every profession you can find, but there are quite a
large number of people that are actually doing well within the Nigerian
police force.
“And I know in my little space where I work, I’ve
seen people who are going the wrong way. We’ve talked to them and told
them you don’t have to do this and God will find a way to bless you when
you’re doing what is right.”
