In a country where highly-placed Nigerians show scant regards for the law and national institutions, it is doubtful if well positioned individuals will risk their careers to bring such Nigerians to justice when found wanting.
That was what a 94-year-old retired Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Madam Dame Stella Obuoforibo did that brought her to the limelight and equally cost her her then very bright police career.
Though this happened long time ago with the courageous woman seems forgotten until the current Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Tunji Disu, paid her a recent courtesy visit of appreciation in her residence.
Theliberationnews can authoritatively report that the veteran police officer was one of the pioneer female officers in the country that were enlisted into the Nigeria Police Force in 1955.
She won popular acclaim for her uprightness, admirable work ethic, and incorruptible principle cum policy during her remarkable years of active police service.
Regrettably, Obuoforibo was a victim of rare principle in professional police practice when she arrested a serving judge who broke traffic laws at that period of high handed military rule in the country.
As expected of her, she arrested and also insisted on prosecuting the supposed law interpreter even when the Supreme Military Council(SMC) of the General Olusegun Obasanjo regime, in a wanton show of official rascality, intervened with a threat to dismiss her except she dropped the charges against the judge. She courageously refused, insisting that the law must take its course.
Eventually, the SMC under Obasanjo decided to dismiss her without benefits for insisting on doing the right thing.
However, Adamu Suleiman, then Inspector General of Police, pricked by his conscience, acknowledged her remarkable courage and advised her to resign to save her years of service. She did, with remarkable confidence and undiluted integrity. The rest, as they say, is history.
Till date, Obuoforibo remains a beacon of uprightness and dedication, making her an inspiration to current and future police officers in a country that shows ingratitude as reward for upright citizens.
Thanks to Rivers State CP Tunji Disu who identified and recognized this woman of courage and unimpeachable character during his morale boosting surprise homage paid to her at her residence.
