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Tag: Ibrahim Idris

  • Saraki reports IGP to Buhari

    Says IGP must obey constitution 

    Dogara: Police behaving like upgraded barbarians 

    Senate President, Bukola Saraki on Monday reported the refusal by the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris to appear before the Senate.

    The Senate had recently invited him twice over the arrest of Senator Dino Melaye. But Idris failed to show up before the Senate in plenary.

    Speaking with State House correspondents at the end of meeting with President Buhari, Saraki said that there was need to ensure Idris respect constituted authority in line with the provisions of the 1999.

    He said “Just talking about the issue of the police, we also raised the issue of the non-appearance of the IG at the Senate and felt that they must continue to ensure that he continues to apply obedience to the issue of constituted authority.

    “We are of great concern that this is the first time this is happening and that that matter needs to be addressed considering the importance of the powers of the  constitution that gives investigative powers, also gives to us and that there is need for police to accept that they too are under constitution and they must obey that. We raised that concern.” he said

    He disclosed that himself and the Speaker of House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara came to the Villa at the invitation of President Buhari who briefed them on his trip to the United States and on the issue of the 2018 Budget.

    “We also talked on the issue of concerns to us, the invasion of the National Assembly, which he showed great concern and said action will be taken to investigate that.” he added

    On how soon the budget will be passed,  he said “Well, hopefully it should be laid this week. If it can be laid this week and passed early next week but we are hoping it will be laid this week.”

    Asked what the President’s response was on the invasion of the Senate,  he said “Of course he sees it as an embarrassment to the country and that there will be a proper investigation because it is something that is not just about the National Assembly, it is about the country.

    On what he is doing to improve the strain relationship between the executive and the legislature, Saraki said “You see we are here today, it was the initiative of Mr. President to brief us on his visit to America and to engage on discussions and I think that is a good sign. We at the National Assembly have always been ready to give all our support to the executive and we will continue to work along those lines.

    “As I said, the presidential system that we operate, we sometimes have the responsibility to check the excesses of the executive, so there will always be times we will disagree but by and large, we will always work for the interest of Nigerians and always keep on moving on.” he said

    Asked if he will describe the meeting as peaceful, he said “Yes, of course. I think it is good that we touch on some of the important issues, as I said it is a continuous process.”

    On the treatment meted out to Melaye, Dogara said that the Police has behaved like upgraded barbarians.

    He said “The issue of Senator Dino, of course anything that happens to one of our members or any member of the National Assembly is of concern to us. And there is no way we can have this kind of meeting without raising that.

    “This is a civilian administration, it is democracy and it is imperative and very very important that all institutions of democracy operate within the ambit of the rule of law.

    “There is no where,  I have said it before that police will behave in a democracy like a clan of tribesmen, like an upgraded barbarians sort of. So there is need for us  to act with civility.

    “We are not saying  that anybody should be protected and defended. Once you have committed an offense, our law said you should answer it but you just have to utilize the provision of the constitution, the rule of law and this administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has over emphasized in order to bring people to book.

    “But a situation where people are wheeled to court, that doesn’t give good image of our democracy. I have not seen a democracy where people are wheeled to court, they are not in the proper frame of mind and they are forced to undergo trail.

    “Whatever it is, even if Dino is pretending as some have said it some section of the media, he cannot pretend forever. He is there, he will not run away, he is a senator and he can be tried any time he is in proper frame of mind.

    “As a lawyer, I can tell you, any judge that assesses an accused person not to be in a proper frame of mind, even if the accused person pleas guilty, he is duty bound by law to record a plea of guilty if he is not satisfied as to the soundness of the mind of the accused person.

    “So the emphasis is there and I believe the President being a listening President will definitely take steps and do something about it.” he said

    Asked if the issue on the planned impeachment process was raised, he said “Well, I don’t think we have the authority  to discuss issues of impeachment, impeachment is a political offense and I don’t think we are there yet.

    When asked if the President raised the issue, he said “No, never. It wasn’t part of the agenda.”

  • Buhari meets Saraki, Dogara and others, over budget

    President Muhammadu Buhari is meeting with Senate President Bukola Saraki and Speaker of the House of Representatives Yakubu Dogara at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, behind closed doors.

    The News men report that the president is meeting the two National Assembly leaders barely two hours after his return from Daura, Katsina State.

    The President was in Daura for Saturday’s ward congress of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Read Also: Breaking: Buhari, Saraki, Dogara meet in Aso Rock

    Issues expected to be discussed at the meeting include the delay on the passage of the 2018 Budget, sour relationship between the executive and lawmakers, the ward congresses and botched APC primaries in Ekiti state.

    Also on the card for likely discussion was the current security situation in the country including the failure of the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris to appear before the senate over the issue of Sen. Dino Melaye.

    Dogara was last week quoted as saying that the IGP and the police would be held responsible for anything that happened to Melaye, currently facing two separate court trials.

    NAN

  • The essential Ibrahim Idris at 69

    Those who refer to him as the architect of modern-day development in Kogi State do so with a deep conviction and full knowledge that he, indeed, laid the foundation for the overall social, physical and economic development and transformation of the state. He gave governance substance and meaning by operating a people-centred administration, prioritising the welfare and the security of the people, involving communities in the determination of projects to be sited in their domains, and bequeathing worthy legacies both on ground and in the hearts of the people.

    In April 1949, Pa. Idris Adejoh an Onitsha-based Igalla trader had a new addition to his family. The lad, Ibrahim Idris, had since grown to be a great leader, exceptional humanist, patriot and statesman of consequence. He had over the years championed the greatest goods for the greatest number of his people. An inspiration and hope giver of sorts, Alhaji Ibrahim Idris, CON, (aka Ibro), a former governor of Kogi State, who straddles both the private and public sectors with bold footprints, is favoured by God Almighty to celebrate a milestone anniversary-one full of achievements, grace and divine loving kindness.

    From a humble beginning, Ibro’s life has been like a script written and directed by God Himself, with episodic milestones at different stages. For instance, he was not born with a silver spoon in his mouth and had to discontinue schooling for lack of funds. But by dint of hard work and divine favour, he had made it to the top, both in business and public service. This, perhaps, explains his affective humanity, philanthropy and empathy for the down-trodden.

    Idris exemplifies the often stated maxim that a leader puts the needs of others first. When he became governor in May, 2003, Ibro shocked his aides when he reviewed his allowances and other emoluments downward without publicity. As governor for two terms, prompt payment of workers’ salaries was a priority and target that was achieved. He cleared three months’ salary arrears which he inherited and never owed a single salary for civil servants at both state and local government levels. His administration paid all contractors promptly. Let us refresh our memories about other aspects of the essential Ibrahim Idris, the head-servant of the people.

    Consideration was given to both human capital development and infrastructural development. Well-equipped and well-stocked hospitals and clinics were constructed during his reign. The flagship of his legacies in health was the establishment of the 400-bed-capacity Specialist Hospital and Referral Centre in Lokoja, the state capital. In education, about 2,000 primary school blocks of Four classrooms and offices each were built across the state. Every village or Ward in the state could boast of at least one block of the signature schools. After  achieving full accreditation for all its 29 academic programmes in 29 months, Kogi State University, Anyigba became the best state owned university in the country during Idris Stewardship.

    That is not all. Idris constructed about 1,500 units of houses for workers in Lokoja and across the 21 Loal Governments. All major roads in the state capital were dualised. Other  notable dividends were the International Market, Confluence Stadium, State Secretariat Phase II and the 50million liters capacity Greater Lokoja Water Sheme. In short, under him, education, healthcare, rural development, housing, road construction and electrification of communities received unprecedented attention. It is instructive that Ibro achieved the above and many more landmarks without borrowing a dime form anywhere. For him, prudence was the key word. This is why majority of the civil servants and the people, with a sense of nostalgia wish that the ‘Ibro’ era never ended.  A bridge builder and an ambassador of peace, Idris employed transparency, fairness, and equity in matters of state policy to bring unity and love among the various tribes in the state. He was conscious of the ethnic tripod and the variegated composition of the state and the need to carry everybody along. He never showed favouritism nor exhibited clannishness in appointments, project location and employment matters. Under him, projects were sited mostly equitably and on the bases of need. In fact, for the Nine years he was Governor, he did not appoint any commissioner from Omala, his Local Government of origin.

    His love for the state is legendary. It was for this reason that he shunned opulence but used the state’s resources to develop it. Those who worked under him and with him attest to his prudence and remember his constant charge that the state’s resources must be used to develop it. He frowned against corruption and does not tolerate it. It would be recalled that Ibro once shelved his immunity and submitted himself for investigations by the Presidency in order to clear the air pertaining to a certain petition against him. He was found not guilty, of course.

    Idris’ associates, friends and employees come from all parts of the country with no show of preferential treatment for those from his clan. For him, merit and hard work are the primary consideration in employment matters. His friends come from the North, East, West and South.

    He is a lover of sports and does not miss his golf sessions. Love or hate him, Ibro remains a strong factor in Kogi politics. Happy birthday to a good man.

    • Elesho, worked as Media aid to the former governor

  • Why I was represented at the Senate – Police IG

    The Inspector General of Police  (IGP), Ibrahim Idris has explained why he was not physically present to honour the invitation of the Senate Chambers of the National Assembly.

    The IG explained that he was  absent because he was on an official assignment in Bauchi State with President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The Senate had summoned the IG to appear before it to answer questions on why Senator Dino Melaye was handcuffed by Policemen and the spate of killings and insecurity in various parts of the country.

    The IG sent the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of operations, Joshak Habilla to represent him but the Senate rejected the representation.

    The Police in a statement in Abuja on Friday while quoting the Constitution said the duties of the IG could be carried out by either a DIG or an AIG.

    The statement by the Force Spokesman, ACP Jimoh Moshood reads: “The functions, duties and responsibilities of the Inspector General of Police as listed in Section 215 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria can also be carried out as mentioned in section 312 (1) of the Police Act and Regulation by a senior officer of the Force of the Rank of Deputy Inspector General of Police and Assistant Inspector General of Police who if permitted by the Inspector General of Police to act on his behalf or represent him in official capacity at any function, event or programme within and outside Nigeria can do so in consonant with the provisions of the Police Act and Regulation.

    “It is on the basis of the above that while the Inspector General of Police is on an official assignment in Bauchi State that he delegated the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Department of Operations to represent him and honour the invitation of the Senate, Federal Republic of Nigeria in respect of the felonious offenses for which Sen. Dino Melaye was taken into Police custody, investigated and to be arraigned in the Federal High Court, Lokoja without further delay.”

    The statement further reads: “Consequently, the general public are hereby implored to note that the Inspector General of Police acted rightly in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Police Act and Regulation and other extant laws by delegating the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Department of Operations to represent him at the Senate, National Assembly on 26th April, 2018 to present the Police report, actions and findings in a case of Criminal Conspiracy and Unlawful Possession of Prohibited Firearms and other sundry offenses indicting Senator Dino Melaye.”

    On Melaye’s case, the Police urged the Senate not to trivialize the case against Melaye adding that the Senate should allow the rule of law to prevail.

    “The Nigeria Police Force is a law abiding organization and holds the Senate and its leadership in high esteem, however the Force wishes to impress on the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria not to personalize or trivialize the criminal offenses (Criminal Conspiracy and Unlawful Possession of Prohibited Firearms and other sundry offenses) indicting Sen. Dino Melaye from confessions of two (2) suspected kidnappers and Armed Robbers namely: KABIRU SAIDU a.k.a OSAMA and NUHU SALISU a.k.a SMALL; but should allow the rule of law and justice to prevail.

  • Melaye: Senate orders IGP to appear Wednesday

    The Senate on Thursday ordered the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, to appear before it at 11:00 a.m. next Wednesday and explain why Senator Dino Melaye was handcuffed by policemen who arrested him on Tuesday.

    Ibrahim was also expected to answer questions on the insecurity and its attendant killings in different parts of the country.

    The IGP, who was summoned by the lawmakers on Wednesday, failed to show up, as he was said to have accompanied President Muhammadu Buhari to Bauchi on official engagement.

    Announcing the inability of Ibrahim to honour the invitation, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Police Affairs, Abu Ibrahim, said the IGP had mandated the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) in charge of Operations to stand him for him.

    But the senators were piqued by Senator Ibrahim’s statement, with many of them accusing the IGP of being disrespectful to the Senate.

    The President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, reminded Senator Ibrahim that it was the IGP that the Senate summoned through a resolution and not the DIG.

    Deputy Senate Leader, Bala Ibn Na ‘Allah, urged members not to listen to any other person other than the IGP.

     

  • Melaye: Senate summons IGP

    The Senate on Wednesday summoned the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris over what transpired Tuesday with Senator Dino Melaye.

    The Senate also suspend sitting on Wednesday to visit Melaye who is presently in the hospital.

    Senators were furious over what they described as alleged inhuman treatment meted on Melaye.

    Details shortly…

    Read Also: Arrested Melaye jumps out of police van

  • IGP keeps mum on Melaye, commissions police estate

    The Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, on Tuesday refused to comment on the ongoing drama between the Nigeria Police Force and the Senator representing Kogi West Senatorial District, Dino Melaye.

    The forum was the commissioning of block of flats for police personnel at Muhammadu Buhari Housing Estate in Mbora, Abuja.

    The Chairman of Senate Committee on Police Affairs, Senator Abu Ibrahim, also urged President Muhammadu Buhari to invest more on internal security.

    The senator while decrying the poor state of police personnel said the Force would overcome its challenges if the personnel are comfortable.

    On the drama between the police and Melaye, the IGP said: “No, I can’t comment on him because we are not here for that purpose.”

    On the challenges confronting the Force, Senator Ibrahim said: “I think the major problem of security in Nigeria is not external security but internal security.

    “I have been to Benue where I spent three days and I have also been to Zamfara where I spent two days.  I visited various local government areas and I am convinced that the only way to solve the internal security problem in Nigeria is by making the police comfortable.”

    The lawmaker also argued that 50 percent of the $1billion recently approved for security should be spent on the police.

    He added: “We are spending $1billion on security but as far as I am concerned, that money should be spent on the police because we don’t have problem of external security.

    “Our neighbours are our friends. We have no quarrel with Chad, Niger, Cameroon and other West African countries. So we need not spend money on external security.”

     

  • Invasion: Senate summons IGP, DSS DG

    …Ekweremadu confirms return of snatched mace

     

    Dazed by the audacity which shrouded Wednesday’s invasion of the National Assembly, the Senate Wednesday summoned the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris and the Director General, Department of State Service (DSS) Lawal Daura, to appear before it over the incident.

    Idris and Daura are to appear before the Senate next week, the Senate said.

    It said that the police boss and DSS DG were specifically invited to throw light on the extent of investigation into the invasion largely believed to have been orchestrated.

    Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu who presided over the plenary issued the summon in an address after over one hour Executive Session.

    Issues relating to the invasion of the hallowed chamber of the Senate by armed thugs and steps to ensure lasting harmony in the chamber were said to have dominated the closed session.

    Ekweremadu formally confirmed to his colleagues that the stolen mace had been recovered by the police as demanded by the Senate.

    He lamented that despite recovery of the mace “it still beats the imagination of Nigerians and the civilised world that the attackers passed through the several security checks and barriers into the National Assembly and the inner recesses of this chamber and also escaped with the mace into the thin air despite the well-known fortified surroundings of this parliament.”

    Vowing that what happened on Wednesday must not be allowed to go unpunished or to be swept under the carpet, Ekweremadu assured the Senate will get to the root of the matter.

    He called on the Inspector General of Police and Director-General of the State Security Service to “ensure that all those, who plotted, aided, abated, and executed this dastardly affront on our democracy and belittled Nigeria before the international community must be brought to book to serve as a deterrent to others.”

    A added “We will be inviting them (Idris and Daura) next week to brief us on the state of the investigations.”

    Ekweremadu who read a statement entitled “The affront on our laws and institutions must not go unpunished” said: Distinguished Colleagues, “Yesterday, (Wednesday) this legislative chamber, the nation, and the international community were treated to the theatre of the absurd when armed men invaded the chamber to assault our staff and cart away the mace, the symbol of authority of the Senate. It was a very sad testimony, a derogation, and total smear on our democracy and nation.

    “On behalf of the President of the Senate, His Excellency, Dr. Bukola Saraki, CON, I want to register deep appreciation to you, my colleagues for your understanding and maturity in the face of flagrant provocation. You showed forth yourselves as patriots and elder statesmen and women. I am indeed proud of you and salute your patriotism.

    “I want to also specially appreciate the leadership and members of the House of Representatives, the Management and staff of the National Assembly, especially our chamber staff for their gallantry.

    “We appreciate Nigerians, the media, civil society, the political parties, and the international community for the outpour of solidarity and concern.

    “Ugly and provocative as the event of Wednesday was, it soothes that the entire nation and the world stood together in total condemnation of the ugly drama, brigandage, and desecration of the National Assembly by those, who hold themselves above the laws and institutions of our land.

    “Distinguished colleagues, you would also recall that this hallowed chamber, supported by the House of Representatives, demanded that the Inspector-General of Police recover and return the stolen mace to the Senate within twenty-four hours.

    “Concerned colleagues and Nigerians, who wanted to find out if the mace had been found, have inundated me with calls and messages since last night. Let me, therefore, formally confirm to you, my distinguished colleagues, that the mace has been recovered by the police as we demanded here in this hallowed chamber.

    “Nevertheless, we believe that there should be consequence for bad behaviour. We swore to uphold the laws of the Federal Republic and the principles of democracy. It still beats the imagination of Nigerians and the civilised world that the attackers passed through the several security checks and barriers into the National Assembly and the inner recesses of this chamber and also escaped with the mace into the thin air despite the well-known fortified surroundings of this parliament.

    “Therefore, we hold that it will be a detour to the state of nature where life was lawless and brutish if what happened yesterday is allowed to go unpunished or to be swept under the carpet. It will never happen. We will get to the roots of the matter. We call on the Inspector General of Police and Director-General of the State Security Service to ensure that all those, who plotted, aided, abated, and executed this dastardly affront on our democracy and belittled Nigeria before the international community must be brought to book to serve as a deterrent to others. We will be inviting them next week to brief us on the state of the investigations.

    “This incident has also brought to the fore the case many of us have always made for a decentralised police system. Ordinarily, a big institution like the National Assembly should have its own police, apart from the Sergeants-at-Arm. However, the security of this parliament is fully outside the control of the National Assembly. Instructively, the same gangterism that was witnessed here Wednesday has been recorded in various State Houses of Assembly.

    “It is on this note, distinguished colleagues, that I welcome you back to this Thursday plenary. I want to assure Nigerians that we will never waver in the responsibility they have elected us to shoulder. We will all stand together to defend this institution of the parliament and our democracy. We will never fear to legislate; and we will never legislate out of fear. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

    Read Aslo: Ekweremadu briefs Osinbajo on Senate invasion

  • Police, hunter kill three robbers, recover 83 illegal arms in Bauchi

    The Inspector-General of Police ( IGP ) Monitoring Squad in collaboration with a renown Hunter, Ali Kwara, has killed three suspected armed robbers in Bauchi.

    ‎The Public Relations Officer of the Police Command in the state, DSP Kamal Datti, said in a statement on Tuesday in Bauchi that the robbers were killed during a shootout.

    ‎ “A combined team of IGP Monitoring Unit in conjunction with Bauchi renown hunter, Ali Kwara, trailed three suspected armed robbers to Maladunba forest in Misau Local Government Area while planning to attack unsuspecting members of the public.

    ‎”On sighting the team, the suspects engaged them on a fierce shootout which lasted for some minutes.

    “As a result, the three suspected armed robbers sustained fatal injuries and were taken to General Hospital, Misau, and the medical doctor on duty certified them dead,” Datti said.

    ‎According to him, three AK47 rifles; one locally fabricated double barrel gun; 210 live ammunition of 7.62mm calibre; six cartridges and six empty AK47 riffles magazines were recovered from the suspects.

    ‎”Other exhibits recovered from the suspects were: a silver-coloured Golf 3 Station Wagon with registration number AH 471 GWA; one cutlass; two pairs of police uniform and N16,900,” Datti said.

    ‎The police spokesman said that investigation into the matter had begun.

    ‎He also said that the command had recovered illegal firearms and ammunition from‎ bandits and other suspects across the state.

    “The illegal arms recovery‎ was a concerted effort following the 21-day ultimatum given by the Inspector-General Of Police ( IGP ), Ibrahim Idris, in February.

    Read Also: Police recovers arms, ammunitions in Bauchi

    ‎”The order which was extended to April 30,2018 directed individuals and groups in possession of prohibited and illegal‎ firearms to surrender them to Commissioners of Police in the states,” Datti said.

    ‎He said the commissioners of police in the states and the Federal Capital Territory ( FCT ) were also dire‎cted to set up a Joint Task Enforcement Teams to mop up, seize and recover all illegal arms from wrong hands.

    ‎” In compliance with IGP directives, the Commissioner of Police Bauchi State,Mr Sanusi Lemu, inaugurated Police Joint Task Enforcement Team.

    ‎”Consequently, the command has so far successfully recovered a total of 83 prohibited/illegal firearms and 702 live ammunition from suspected criminals and persons that voluntarily surrendered their firearms to the command,”he said.

    ‎The Police Spokesman also disclosed that the arms recovered ‎were; 30 AK47 rifles, one AK49 rifle, five single barrel guns, 20 fabricated guns and two double barrel guns.

    ‎”Other arms recovered include; four pump action guns, one K2 rifle, 20 pistols, 702 live ammunition and 70 cartridges,” he said.

    NAN

  • Imo Police recovers 168 illegal guns in arms mop up

    Imo state Police Commissioner, Mr. Chris Ezike, on Tuesday displayed massive cache of arms ammunition recovered by the Command during the ongoing nationwide Arms mop-up and recovery exercise initiated by the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris.

    A total number of 168 guns, 2323 live ammunitions, 99 cartridges and 22 empty magazines were among the illegal arms recovered from Police raids and voluntary submission by the owners.

    The Commissioner of Police, while displaying the arms before newsmen at the Command Headquarters in Owerri, noted that the exercise has led to a drastic reduction in the number of light and small “but dangerous weapons within the Imo polity”.

    According to him, the exercise has also led to a reduction in the rate of criminal activities like kidnapping, armed robbery and cult related violence in the state, adding that firearms are facilitators of violence.

    He said, “firearms are facilitators of violence. The mop-up of illegal arms will no doubt restore peace to our communities and keep our communities safe and secured. The arms mop-up has become an exercise aimed at checking the activities of would be political thugs as we journey towards 2019”.