The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, has expressed satisfaction with the performance of the Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) in charge of Operations, all policemen, officers and men of other security and safety agencies deployed for last Saturday’s governorship election in Anambra State.
He hailed them for providing tight security and an environment conducive for a credible election in the state.
The IGP extolled the high level professionalism, politeness, firmness and unbiased conducts of the police before, during and after the election.
A statement yesterday by Force spokesman Jimoh Moshood, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), said: “The Nigeria Police Force equally appreciates the law-abiding attitude and peaceful conduct of the good people of Anambra State, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), election monitors/observers, civil society organisations (CSOs), the media and other critical stakeholders for a good working relationship with the security personnel deployed for the election.
“The good disposition and spirit of sportsmanship exhibited by most of the political parties in the election, which doused fear and tensions during the election, is gratifying and highly commendable. “
An FCT High Court sitting in Jabi on Thursday granted an interim order restraining the leadership of the senate from investigating the Inspector-General of the Nigerian Police, Mr Ibrahim Idris.
Justice Abba-Bello Mohammed granted the application of an interim injunction pending the hearing of the substantive suit of breach of right to fair hearing by the senate leadership against the IG.
The Judge also granted leave to the applicant’s Counsel, Mr Alex Izinyon (SAN) to publish in two national dailies all papers concerning the originating summons, including hearing notice which would be serve on the senate.
Mohammed adjourned the case until Dec. 4 to hear the main issues in the substantive suit before the court.
The suit filed before the court with Ref. No. CV/0060/2017, has the President of the Senate, the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Sen. Isah Misau as the respondents.
Others also listed as respondents are Sen. Francis Alimikhena, Sen. Binta Garba, Sen. Suleiman Hunkuyi, Sen. Duro Samuel, Sen. Ogba Obinna, Sen. Nelson Effiong and Sen. Abdulaziz Nyako.
The applicant is seeking that the 2nd respondent (the senate) resolution setting up an Ad hoc committee to investigate the allegation raised by Misau is a violation of the his right to fair hearing under the constitution.
He is also seeking for a declaration that the Senate’s letter of invitation to appear before the Ad hoc committee on Nov. 2 based on a petition by Sen. Misau is a violation of his right to fair hearing as provided by the constitution.
Other reliefs sought by the applicant include an order restraining the Ad hoc committee, its agent or any other from taking further steps on the matter in the name of its earlier invitation to the applicant.
The applicant hinged his action on the grounds that members of the Ad hoc committee are colleagues of the Senator who raised the petition against him.
It also said that both the print and electronic media published grievous criminal allegations made by Sen. Misau against the IG and Nigeria Police.
Counsel to the applicant Izinyon, informed the court that an attempt made by the bailiff of the court to serve the senate all papers of the originating application for it to show cause on the matter was rebuffed by the agents of the respondents.
He added that when the bailiff went to the office of the Clerk of the Senate to carry out the service he was beaten locked up by some officers in that office.
Izinyon urged the court to exercise its power of Order 15 Rule 4 of the High court to effect justice on the matter.
He also prayed the court to look at Order 11 Rule 27 and 28 which provides for punishment against anyone who threatens the bailiff of a court. (NAN)
The Chairman of Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) at the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T) in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, Mr. Emmanuel Olufemi Oladehinde, has condemned police shooting of students of Federal College of Agriculture at Moor Plantation in Ibadan on Monday.
A student of the college and two other persons sustained bullet-wound injuries during the shooting.
But normalcy has returned to the college.
Oladehinde urged the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr Ibrahim Idris, to probe the incident.
The union leader regretted that innocent workers of another institution were hit by the bullets, saying it was inhuman for the police to use live bullets on harmless students.
He said the police had a better option to reprimand the protesting students, instead of shooting live bullets at them.
Oladehinde recalled that overzealous policemen, led by a Divisional Police Officer (DPO), allegedly ordered his arrest and four other workers of the institution, who he said were brutalised by the police while mediating.
He said: “I was on the spot. What really happened was that the students were staging a peaceful demonstration, though they blocked the road. The policemen were there. Suddenly, the police started shooting. So, the students came inside the institute. The police said they could not differentiate the workers from the students.
“So, they started firing their guns and teargas at everybody on sight. I was even arrested after I was harassed. I went to the Diviosional Police Officer (DPO) and showed him my identity as the NASU chairman of the institute. Those arrested were workers of IAR&T. The DPO said I should be arrested too.
“I was arrested and they collected my wallet. But later, they returned my wallet to me. The police even stoned me. Four of our workers were brutalised and detained. We went to the station to release them. It was the Area Commander that gave them the order that they should release our people. So, they were released.
“We took them to the hospital, and they have been discharged. But those who were shoot are still at the University College Hospital (UCH) now. The information we got was that they are about to wheel the woman that was shoot in the abdomen to the theatre.
“So, the second person, who was shot on the leg, is also there. That is the situation we found ourselves.”
A civil society group, Citizens without Border has written a letter to the inspector general of police, Ibrahim Idris for an approval to embark on a nation wide protests to press for the resignation of the managing director Federal Housing authority, Professor Muhammad Al-Amin from office.
This the group said was caused by prolonged and protracted illness of the managing director which has affected the smooth running of the organization since he took over.
Our correspondent gathered the demand was sequel to a notification letter sent to the honourable minister o f works, housing and power which was signed by the groups executive director Mr Daniel Iwen a copy of which was sent to our correspondent.
The group further alleged that they have in their custody enough evidence to show that Al-Amin is incapacitated.
All efforts to reach the public relations officer of the Federal Housing Authority have failed.
In an interactive session with the group spokesman, he said the group have already officially copied the managing director federal Housing authority on the planned protest to save the board.
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris has ordered the deployment of the Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIGs) in charge of Operations, three Assistant Inspector General (AIGs) and 26,000 policemen for next Saturday’s governorship election in Anambra State.
Besides the policemen, the government has also deployed three police surveillance helicopters, 10 gun boats, 15 armoured personnel carriers (APCs) and 303 police patrol vehicles.
The deployment is meant to cover all parts of the state, including the riverine areas and difficult terrains.
The police also said there would be restriction of vehicular movement on Election Day.
The police also urged Anambra residents to disregard the “Vote and Die” threat by the Independent People of Biafra (IPOB).
In a statement yesterday in Abuja by the Force Headquarters spokesman Jimoh Moshood, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), said: “The DIG of Police in charge of Operations has been deployed to Anambra State and will be assisted by an Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) and three commissioners of police to be in charge of each senatorial district to coordinate the security operations and supervise the deployment of security personnel for the elections throughout the state.
“To ensure tight security and safety of lives and property before, during and after the elections, the IGP has approved the deployment of additional 26,000 police personnel, comprising the police special forces, police mobile force, the Counter-Terrorism Unit (CTU), Special Protection Unit (SPU), the Anti-Bomb Squad (EOD) and the Force Marine Police, conventional policemen.
“Others are: the Force Armament Unit, personnel from Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department (FCIID), mounted troops, the attack and sniffer dogs section, police gun boats, police helicopters and armoured personnel carriers (APCs) to Anambra State and most of these personnel are already on the ground.
“Three police surveillance helicopters, 10 gun boats, 15 APCs and 303 police patrol vehicles have been deployed for the operations to cover the state, including the riverine areas and difficult terrains.”
Giving details of how the security arrangement, Moshood said: “Other security and safety agencies, who are members of Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), are also deployed to complement the personnel of the Nigeria Police Force during the election.
“Four policemen would be deployed to each polling unit with personnel of other security and safety agencies. No armed security personnel will be allowed within the polling units.”
“Armed police detachments on patrol vehicles are going to patrol the streets and other locations throughout the state to prevent crime and intervene to quell any violence that may occur during the election…”
Inspector General of Police ( IGP ) Ibrahim Idris yesterday succeeded in blocking the Senate’s probe of corruption and misconduct allegations levelled against him by Senator Isah Misau.
Idris, who appeared for the scheduled hearing with his lawyer Alex Iziyon (SAN), told the Senate panel through Iziyon that he had gone to court to challenge Misau on the allegations and that it would be sub judice for the lawmakers to proceed with the probe.
Displaying court documents to drive home his point, the IGP said his decision to honour the invitation was in compliance with constitutional provisions that make it mandatory for him to respond to the Senate’s summons.
But the Senator Francis Alimikhena-led committee attempted to overrule the police boss when he insisted that the courts lacked the powers to stop the Senate from performing its constitutional duties.
The police boss however countered that the actions of the committee were against the Standing Rules of the Senate, citing Order 53(5) of the Rule to buttress his argument.
The Order states: “Reference shall not be made to any matter on which a judicial decision is pending in such a way as might in the opinion of the President of the Senate, prejudice the interest of parties thereto.”
The visibly agitated IGP said: “I will not make any oral comments or answer any questions in respect of the allegations in view of the various civil and criminal cases pending in the law courts, more especially when the senator has already been arraigned in court in respect of this matter.
“I decided to appear before this Senate committee on the allegations out of high respect I have for the Senate and my respect for the rule of law.
“Furthermore, it is expected that the Senate and the committee will refrain from making references to the issues as it will be against Order 41 (7) and 53 (5) of the Senate Standing Orders 2 (15) as amended.”
Earlier, Idris attempts to answer questions from the committee’s chairman were blocked by Iziyon.
Addressing the committee chair, Iziyon said: “I represent the IGP. I want to state that we have very high respect for the Senate. In pursuant of the invitation, we decided to be here to demonstrate that we have nothing to hide. I have gotten instructions from the IGP. We have responded to all the allegations raised word to word to the committee.
IGP Idris and Misua of the Senate
“This is an ad hoc committee. There are rules. I am urging you to use your rules. In October 2015, a similar case arose between an ad hoc committee and Rotimi Amaechi. Ethics Committee was asked to investigate him. Because the case was before a court in Rivers State, the Senate suspended it.
“The Standing Rules of the Senate say that when a case is in court, any reference to it maybe subjudice. Nigerians are interested in this. We are saying this in the interest of justice. We are not hiding anything at all. I am only drawing your attention to precedent set by the Senate.
A visibly angry Alimikhena said the ad hoc committee was set up before the IGP went to court.
He said: “You cannot tell us the FCT High Court has given an order. You cannot tell us what we do not know. This is a committee set up by the Senate. It was set up before you went to court. The court is interfering with our work. Let us stick with the truth. The Senate is not out to witch hunt anybody. If you are going to go to court, it does not stop the Senate from probing the virement made by the Police boss. You cannot stop that”.
Iziyon retorted that the law was clear on virement, stressing that it was not a matter for the Senate to handle. “It is a criminal offence and it is not the Senate that should handle that.”
Another member of the Senate panel, Senator Hope Uzodinma, intervened, pleading with the committee chair to adjourn the hearing to allow committee members study the contents of a written response submitted by the IGP.
Addressing Iziyon and the IGP, Uzodinma said: “I want to caution you. We are all statesmen in the country. We are all one. If we must succeed as a country, we must create a synergy where both arms must work together. The SAN, you must agree with me that this is not a law court. You will do a favour to resolve any differences between these parties.
“The Standing Rules say, if its the opinion of the Senate President. Are you the Senate President? This matter needs to be resolved in a manner that Nigerians will be happy. If we issue a warrant, the IGP will bring himself. I do not even know why the IGP cannot speak for himself.
“We want to see the allegations before us and see how we can resolve them in the interest of the country. If the IGP is not in a position to speak in my view, he can submit. We can look into it and decide on how to move forward. No too much quotations. This is a parliament.
Senator Obinna Ogba appealed that the hearing be suspended. “Having heard what the IGP said, I have seen some documents we need to study. I want to appeal to the chairman to give us time to study the documents and invite the IGP later,” he said.
Joshua Lidani, Suleiman Hukunyi, Abdulaziz Nyako and Nelson Effiong, who spoke one after the other, called for an adjournment.
Lidani said: “I think it makes sense for us to study the documents. From the reaction from the chairman, it appears that the preliminary objections will not be entertained. We have just been served this document. We will study it. We will determine if you have been able to address the issues raised.
But the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Ita Enang, cut in at this point by telling the committee that the presidency would like to explore a “multi-door” option in resolving the issue.
Enang said, “We are glad for the warm reception. We are not here out of honour. We are here out of constitutional provisions. We respect the job and powers of the legislature. We thank you for inviting us. We also appreciate what you have said that you want to have an adjournment. I am hoping that this adjournment will pursue other multi-door options to resolve these issues”.
Alimikhena caved in by adjourning the sitting indefinitely.
“Coming here is your duty. When you are summoned by the parliament, you must come. It is a not a favour. I want to tell you that the issue of virement is the function of the parliament. It is not something that should be handled by the court. I want to tell you this committee came up before you went to court. The court is interfering with our committee. If we need you again, you will respond”, he said
The Senate Ad hoc Committee investigating allegations of corruption and misconduct levelled against the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr Ibrahim Idris by Sen. Isah Misau (APC Bauchi) was on Wednesday adjourned to a later date.
This followed presentation of some documents by the IG-P to the committee on the allegations against him.
The committee resolved to adjourn the meeting to thoroughly study the documents before taking further action.
The Chairman of the committee, Sen. Francis Alimikhena, said the senate was not in any way trying to witch-hunt anybody but to carry out its responsibility as provided by the Constitution.
“In pursuant to the Senate resolution of Wednesday Oct. 4, you were invited to testify before this committee.
“”The principle of separation of powers in a constitutional democracy requires that the senate carries out this function in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution.
“It is one of the vital functions of parliament in partnership with other arms of government in exposing and fighting corruption and abuse of office.
“The committee is not constituted to witch-hunt any person but to see that justice is done,” he said.
He said Nigerians were eagerly waiting to know the truth of the allegations “because “they are too weighty to be swept under the carpet.’’
The IG-P said he would not make any comment or ask any question as the matter was already pending before the court.
He said his lawyer, Mr Alex Iziyon would respond to the committee’s queries.
“I am represented by the Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Dr Alex Iziyon.
“I will not make any oral comment or answer any question in respect of the allegations in view of the civil and criminal cases pending in the law court, more so that the senator has been arraigned in court in respect of these matters.
“I decided to appear before this committee on the allegations because of the high regard we have for the Senate and respect for the rule of law.
“It is expected that the Senate and the committee will refrain from making references to the issues as it will be against Order 41 (7) and 53(5) of the Senate Standing Order, 2015(as amended).
“Order 41(7) states that the Senate shall not receive any petition or any matter for that which there is a judicial remedy.
“Order 53(5) says reference should not be made on any matter in which the judicial decision is pending in such a way that it might in the opinion of the President of the Senate prejudice the interest of the parties thereto,’’ he said.
Dr Iziyon said the IG-P had nothing to hide, adding that following instructions given to him by the IG-P, he had tendered his response to the allegations.
“We responded to each of the allegations to show that we do not have anything to hide.
“I have submitted 15 copies of the response to the committee,’’ he said.
Earlier, a group of protesters in support of the IG-P gathered at the entrance to the National Assembly to show their solidarity.
They were seen displaying placards with different inscriptions.
Some of the placards read: “IGP Ibrahim Kpotun Idris is working, Senator Misau leave him We stand by IGP Ibrahim K. Idris, We support Nigeria Police Force.”
The Senate has set up an eight-man ad hoc committee to investigate allegations of corruption brought against the IG by Misau
Misau had claimed that the IGP purchased two jeeps for the wife of the President, Mrs. Aisha Buhari.
He also alleged that the IGP misused over N120 billion generated by the Force in one year.
Misau equally alleged that the police boss got a serving police officer pregnant and hurriedly arranged a marriage ceremony in Kaduna.
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, yesterday said he would only appear before the Senate over the allegation of corruption against him by Senator Isah Misau (Bauchi Central) only after discussing with his legal team.
He spoke with State House correspondents after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari on security challenges in the country and measures to tackle them.
He said: “These are legal issues we are discussing with our legal team. If there is need, we are going to appear for the sake of having respect for the Senate. I will appear before them.”
He said 21,000 police officers will be deployed to Anambra State to provide security for the November 18 election.
According to him, water boats and helicopters will also be deployed to take care of waterways and aerial surveillance respectively.
He said 3,000 suspected kidnappers that were arrested were in various police stations across the country and would soon be charged to court.
On the purpose of his visit to the State House, he said: “Obviously I am here as usual to discuss with the Commander-in-Chief on the security challenges we are having and how we will face these security challenges adequately.
“The security challenges are obvious. You know we are having a gubernatorial election in Anambra State and we are having challenges in various parts of the country, especially these issues of kidnapping. These were things I discussed with the President and the measures taken to address them squarely.”
On how to ensure adequate security in Anambra State, the IGP said: ”Obviously we are deploying a lot of police officers, almost about 21,000 police officers, to provide adequate security.
“We are deploying our boats to take care of the waterways; we are deploying our helicopters to take care of the aerial surveillance and we are deploying our conventional policemen and special police units to take care of situations on ground.
“And by the grace of God, we are going to have a successful and peaceful election in Anambra State.”
Also commenting on the security situation on the Kaduna-Abuja highway, the IGP said special units had been deployed to the road, adding that huge success had been recorded.
The Inspector General of Police ( IGP ), Ibrahim Idris, on Friday said that he will only appear before the Senate over the allegation of corruption against him by Senator Isah Misau (Bauchi Central) only after discussing with his legal team.
He spoke with State House correspondents after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari on security challenges in the country and measures to tackle them.
He said: “These are legal issues,we are discussing with our legal team, obviously if there is need we are going to appear for the sake of having respect for the Senate, I will appear before them.”
He said that 21,000 Police officers will be deployed to Anambra State to provide security for the November 18, 2017.
According to him, water boats and helicopter will also be deployed to take care of water ways and aerial surveillance respectively.
He said 3,000 suspected kidnappers that were arrested were cooling off in various Police Stations across the country and would soon be charged to court.
On the purpose of his visit to the State House, he said, “Obviously I am here as usual to discuss with the Commander-in-Chief on the security challenges we are having and how we will face these security challenges adequately.
“The security challenges are obvious. You know we are having elections in Anambra state and we are having challenges in various parts of the country especially some of these issues of kidnapping and these are things I discussed with the President and the measures taken to address it squarely.”
On how to go ensure adequate security in Anambra election, the IGP said, “Obviously we are deploring a lot of police officers, almost about 21,000 police officers to be able to provide adequate security in the Anambra election.
“We are deploying our water boats to take care of the water ways, we are deploying our helicopters to take care of the aerial surveillance and we are deploying our conventional police men and special police units to take care of situations on ground.
“And by the grace of God, we are going to have a successful and peaceful elections in Anambra state.”
Also commenting on security situation in Kaduna Abuja highway, the Inspector General of Police said that special units have been deployed to the road, adding that huge success had been recorded.
He said, “Kaduna Abuja road as you observed we have deployed our special units there and we have arrested several of these kidnappers.
“I want to appreciate the effort of the National Assembly for providing sort of a death penalty for suspects arrested that are involved in some of these cases of kidnapping and I am sure that in some few weeks time we are going to have drastic fall in the report of some of these incidences of kidnapping on those areas because of these punishment that has been made now by the National Assembly.
“We are taking them to court on everyday basis. Presently, we have almost over 3000 suspects in the various police stations all over the country and we are taking them to court. Recently, I set up a task force to sort of streamline or scrutinize these cases so that we have speedy trial of some of these suspects.” he stated
The Senate on Wednesday threatened to issue an arrest warrant against the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Ibrahim Idris if he fails to appear before its ad-hoc committee investigating allegations of abuse of office against him.
Chairman of the ad-hoc committee, Senator Francis Alimikhena, gave the threat after waiting endlessly for the IGP for a scheduled investigative hearing in the Senate.
The Edo North Senator told reporters that the IGP was summoned on October 16th, 2017 to appear before the panel to respond to allegations made against him by Senator Isah Hamman Misau.
The panellists expressed dissatisfaction that the IGP failed to appear before the panel.
Alimikhena noted that instead of appearing before the panel the IGP, through his lawyer, Alex Iziyon, wrote to the committee informing it that the matter was already in court.
He said that the letter expressly stated that IGP will not appear before the panel because the matter for which he was invited was before the court.
Alimikhena who appeared to have been angered by the letter, thundered nobody, including court, can stop the Senate from carrying out its constitutional duties.
The lawmaker who is also Senate Deputy Chief Whip noted that the separation of powers guaranteed by law made it explicit that the Senate cannot be prevented in carrying out its constitutional duties by any other arm of government.
He threatened that if the IGP fails to appear on November 7th, 2017, the committee would invoke Section 89 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to compel him to appear.
Alimikhena who quoted copiously Section 89 of the 1999 Constitution as amended, insisted that the IGP “will be summoned again and must appear next Tuesday, 7th of November.
Section 89 of the 1999 Constitution as amended, which the committee is relying on to issue a warrant of arrest on the IGP, reads: “For the purposes of any investigation under section 88 of this Constitutional and subject to the provisions thereof, the Senate or the House of Representatives or a committee appointed in accordance with section 62 of this Constitution shall have power to procure all such evidence, written or oral, direct or circumstantial, as it may think necessary or desirable, and examine all persons as witnesses whose evidence may be material or relevant to the subject matter
“Require such evidence to be given on oath; summon any person in Nigeria to give evidence at any place or produce any document or other thing in his possession or under his control, and examine him as a witness and require him to produce any document or other thing in his possession or under his control, subject to all just exceptions.
“Issue a warrant to compel the attendance of any person who, after having been summoned to attend, fails, refuses or neglects to do so and does not excuse such failure, refusal or neglect to the satisfaction of the House or the committee in question, and order him to pay all costs which may have been occasioned in compelling his attendance or by reason of his failure, refusal or neglect to obey the summons, and also to impose such fine as may be prescribed for any such failure, refused or neglect; and any fine so imposed shall be recoverable in the same manner as a fine imposed by a court of law.
“A summons or warrant issued under this section may be served or executed by any member of the Nigeria Police Force or by any person authorised in that behalf by the President of the Senate or the Speaker of the House of Representatives, as the case may require.”
Alimikhena said: “We invited the IGP to appear before our committee. This morning (yesterday), we got a letter from his lawyer, Alex Iziyon, that he will not appear before this committee. He said the IGP has already gone to court and appearing will be sub-judiced.
“It is our duty as a parliament to investigate the allegations raised. This committee was set up before they went to court. We cannot be stopped. No court can stop us from carrying out our duties. There is a separation of powers. No court can stop us.
“We will invite him again next Tuesday. There are issues about virement in the 2017 budget which Misau also raised. We need him to respond to these allegations. We will invite him again and he will appear before us. If he fails to appear, we will invoke Section 89 of the 1999 constitution, as amended.”
Misau,(Bauchi central) had while testifying before the probe panel, claimed that the IGP purchased two jeeps for the wife of the President, Mrs. Aisha Buhari.
He also alleged that the IGP misused over N120 billion generated by the Force in one year.
Misau further alleged that the police boss impregnated a serving police officer and hurriedly arranged a marriage ceremony in Kaduna.
The Police boss, through the Force spokesman, Jimoh Moshood, dismissed the claims as unfounded and smear campaign against the IGP.
The police spokesman asked Nigerians to disregard the allegations against the IGP
In like manner, Mrs. Buhari also denied the purchase of cars for her by the IGP.
