The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Senate

  • IG was invited to brief Senate on Melaye, Police insists

    The Nigeria Police Force has insisted that the Inspector General of Police, IGP Ibrahim Idris was invited to brief them on Senator Dino Melaye and not because of the security concerns in the country.

     

    The Police backed up its claim in a statement in Abuja on Saturday by its Spokesman, ACP Jimoh Moshood attached two copies of the letter sent to the IG by the Senate.

     

    The letters dated 25th April and 8th May signed by the Clerk of the Senate, Nelson Ayewoh was addressed to the IG.

     

    The letters were titled; “Invitation to brief the Senate on the poor treatment of Senator Dino Melaye over case that is in a competent law court, and other killings across Nigeria.”

     

    The Police also said the heading of the letters suggests that the brief on the killing across the country was an afterthought adding that it was against standards to discuss security matters on national television.

     

    The Police also faulted the Senate President’s office  for releasing the list of those killed so far in 2018.

     

    The Police said the list is capable of worsening the security situation in the country.

     

    The Police statement  reads: “The recent claim by the Senate that the reason for inviting the IGP is to brief them on the recent killings in some part of the country is an afterthought which can be seen from the headings of their invitation letters.

     

    “In any case, if the Senate is sincerely interested in knowing the strategies adopted by the Police in tackling the killings in the affected States, they would not have invited the IGP to speak on the strategies of the Force on National Television.

     

    “The Senate’s action to cover the appearance of the IGP on National Television is against National Security, unconventional and it negates global security practice. There is nowhere in the world where security matters are discussed on National Television, even the Senate deliberation and decision on the appearance of the IGP were done in close session.

     

    “One wonders why security strategies of the Force to tackle the killings in the affected States would be discussed on National Television.”

     

    The statement further resds: “From the headings of the above quoted invitation letters, it is very clear that the IGP was invited on those occasions by the Senate purposely because of Senator Dino Melaye’s criminal indictment in respect of felonious and serious offenses of Criminal Conspiracy and Unlawful Possession of Prohibited Firearms by two (2) Principal Suspects (Kabiru Seidu A.K.A OSAMA, Nuhu Salisu A.K.A SMALL) arrested for several cases of kidnappings and armed robberies in Kogi State, who are already standing trial in a court of competent jurisdiction.

     

    “The pinch emphasis on security matters in the invitation letters was diversionary to attract undeserved public sympathy in the Senate’s desperate bid to trivialize and water down the crime and criminal liabilities for which Senator Dino Melaye is standing trial.

     

    “However, due to the respect the IGP has for the Senate, that when on the 25th of April, 2018, the Senate invited the Inspector-General of Police to appear before it on the 26th of April 2018, in respect of the felonious offenses for which Sen. Dino Melaye was taken into Police custody, investigated and arraigned in a Court of Competent Jurisdiction while the Inspector-General of Police was on official assignment with the President of Federal Republic of Nigeria in Bauchi on same date, that he delegated the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Department of Operations, Assistant Inspector-Generals of Police and some Commissioners of Police conversant with the matter to brief the Senate.

     

    “The Senate again on the 26th of April 2018 wrote the Inspector-General of Police re-inviting him to appear before the Senate in person on the 2nd of May, 2018 but this time around the IGP was on official assignment to Birnin-Gwari Area of Kaduna State in company of the General Officer Commanding, One Division, Nigerian Army Kaduna, Major General Mohammed Mohammed to attend to some very serious security matters of National Importance, but he promptly delegated the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Research and Planning, Assistant Inspectors General of Police and Commissioners of Police to represent him and brief the Senate on the same subject matter, the Senate again refused to accord them audience insisting that the Inspector-General of Police must appear in person.

     

    “It is pertinent to let the public be aware that the Inspector General of Police since assumption of duty in June, 2016 has appeared about ten times before the Senate on different issues of National Importance.”

     

    On the list released by the Senate on recent killinga, the Police stated: “The release of the purported list of killings in Nigeria in 2018 by the Office of the Senate President is shocking, unfortunate and capable of worsening the security situation in the Country.

     

    “It is mischievous and heinous to play politics with people’s lives; even if it is a soul. The release is speculative and not supported by any fact. Office of the Senate President does not receive or process security report from State commands.

     

    The Nigeria Police Force has severally reiterated that it holds the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in high esteem and regards, but will not be cowed from ensuring the supremacy of the laws of the land, preservation of law and order and above all the full enforcement of the rule of law throughout the Country.

     

    “The Force will also continue to resist any intimidation from any quarter either constituent or otherwise which run contrary to the provisions of the Constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended and other extant laws.  By insisting that the Senate abides by the constitutions and provisions in the Police act and regulations, the IGP is not holding on to any straw as asserted by the Senate Spokesperson but to the rule of law to ensure that there is no sacred cow.”

     

    On the security brief as demanded by the Senate, Moshood said: “The attention of the Nigeria Police Force has been drawn to media publication credited to one Sen. Sabi Aliyu Abdullahi, Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs that “IGP should stop holding on to the straw on why he refused to comply with the invitation of the Senate for him to come and explain what the Police are doing on the spate of killing across the country.

     

     

    “The incidents of killings in some part of the country are being addressed by the Nigeria Police Force and other security and safety agencies in the Nation. While normalcy have been restored in most of the affected areas, hundreds of suspects directly responsible for these dastardly acts have been arrested and are being prosecuted in the affected States.”

     

    To prove that the effort made by the Force is yielding result, the Police said over 5000 firearms have been recovered from wrong hands across the country.

     

     

    “5000 prohibited firearms have been recovered from wrong hands across the Federation on the directives of the IG in the mop-up operations currently ongoing throughout the Country.

     

    “These are part of the brief the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Department of Operations was delegated by the IGP to deliver on his behalf to the Senate, but he was not allowed.

     

    “It is incumbent on the Force to educate Sen. Sabi Aliyu Abdullahi that IGP was represented at the Senate on  26th April, 2018 and 2nd May, 2018 as provided for and in accordance with the extant laws, which affirms that, the functions, duties and responsibilities of the Inspector General of Police stated in Section 215(1a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended, and the Police Act and Regulations Section 309(1) can also be carried out in accordance with sections 7(1),312(1), 313(2) of the Police Act and Regulations by a senior officer of the Force of the Rank of Deputy Inspector General of Police or an Assistant Inspector General of Police who if permitted by the Inspector General of Police to act on his behalf or represent him in an official capacity at any official function, event or programme within and outside Nigeria can do so in consonant with the provisions of the Police Act and Regulations.”

     

    The Force said it would continue to uphold the rule of law in all its ramifications and also ensure that nobody under any guise, no matter how highly placed is allowed to pervert the course of Justice.

     

    “The Force insists on due process of the law and once again implores the Senate not to whip-up sentiments or resort to self-help but to allow the rule of law and justice to prevail on the whole matter.”

  • Senate, IGP rift deepens

    •Stop holding on to straw, Senate tells police chief
    •Police: your declaration is laughable

    The Senate and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris are locked in a battle of wits. The Red Chamber accuses the police chief of disrespect for snubbing its summon. But the police feel otherwise. To senior lawyers Itse Sagay and Femi Falana, the lawmakers are off their track, report Onyedi Ojiabor, JOSEPH JIBUEZE and Faith Yahaya

    There is no letup in the war of words between the Senate and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris over the refusal of the police chief to honour the lawmakers’ summon.

    The verbal darts continued yesterday with the Senate telling the police chief to let go the straw and the the Nigerian Police describing the lawmakers’ verdict as laughable.

    The crossfire yesterday attracted reactions from senior lawyers, including the Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC) and activist-lawyer Femi Falana. Both are senior advocates.

    In their views, the lawmakers erred in summoning Idris over the rising wave of insecurity and the travail of one of their colleagues.

    Falana said the right persons the senators ought to have invited were the Interior Minister Gen. Abdulraman Bambazau (for killings) and Attorney-General of the Federation & Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami.

    The parties on Wednesday took on each other with the Senate firing the first salvo. It passed a vote of no confidence in the IGP and classified him “enemy of democracy, who is not fit to hold public office within and outside Nigeria.”

    The Red Chamber’s revolution was sequel to the IGP’s refusal to personally appear and brief on the rising spate of killings in the land and the alleged inhuman treatment meted to Senator Dino Melaye by police.

    It was the third time the police chief would be spurning the invitation for security briefing.

    But, the IGP said the resolution was mischievous and very unfortunate, describing it as blackmail.

    According to him, he had explained why he could not appear before the Senate in a memo he sent earlier. He said he would neither succumb, nor be deterred by blackmail from any individual, or group no matter how highly placed.

    Dissatisfied with the IGP explanation, the Senate told  the IGP to stop holding on to the straw on his refusal to comply with its invitation to brief members on what effort the Police have put in place to curb the spate of killings.

    In a statement by the Chairman of its Committee on Media & Public Affairs, Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, the Senate said the crux of the matter that informed the invitation of the IGP was the ceaseless spate of killings across the country.

    Abdullahi explained that the matter concerning the arrest of Senator Dino Melaye had been overtaken by events.

    The statement reads: “We noted the response issued by one Jimoh Moshood on behalf of the IGP, Ibrahim Idris following yesterday’s (Wednesday’s) resolution of the legislative chamber on the continued refusal of the IGP to honour the invitation for him to come and explain what the police are doing to halt the spate of killings across the country.

    “Let it be known that the IGP, by trying to reduce the reason for his invitation by the Senate to the arrest of Senator Dino Melaye is simply holding on to straw.

    “The issue of Senator Melaye’s arrest has been overtaken by events. The courts are already handling the related cases. Our main concern is the security crisis across the country where people are being killed in scores on daily basis.

    “The primary responsibility of the Police is maintenance of law and order as well as protection of lives and property.

    “If there is a breach along the line of this responsibility, we do not see why the IGP should feel he cannot be invited to offer explanation to the arm of government which is constitutionally empowered to ask questions and investigate the breach.

    “No responsible body of representatives of the people will ignore sad reports given by members on the floor of the Senate. For instance, on April 24, two Catholic priests and 17 members of their congregation were murdered as reported by Senator George Akume.

    “Also, Senators Kabir Marafa and Tijani Kaura had earlier intimated the Senate of the killing of 35 people in Maradun Local Government Area, over 100 people killed in Anka and 36 people killed in Birani Village in Zurmi Local Government Area, all in Zamfara State.

    “Even as at now, reports reaching us showed that recent killings have occurred in Kaduna, Taraba and Benue states.

    “These were just few instances of daily occurrences of gruesome murder of our constituents as raised by Senators.

    “The IGP definitely should not have any problem with an invitation for him to tell the Senate what he and his men are doing to stop the killings as well as their challenges and needs in doing this.

    “Mr. Idris should not seek to confuse issues or play on the intelligence of members of the public with his diversionary statement or claims.

    “The resolution of the Senate leading to his invitation is clear and we invite our people to check. It is for the purpose of having a transparent and open hearing that we fixed his appearance for Wednesday when our plenary sitting enjoys live coverage on national television.

    “In one instance in the past, Mr. Idris had gone to court in order to evade honouring the invitation of the Senate and the court headed by Justice Abba Bello Mohammed of the FCT High Court on April 10, 2018, told him in clear terms that his suit lacked merit as Sections 88 and 89 of the constitution empower the lawmakers to carry out investigations on issues of public interest.

    “Any public officer who plans to place himself above an arm of government obviously is not fit to remain in office.

    “Mr. Idris is only afraid of his shadows by alleging witch-hunt when he is called to account on the performance of the duties of his organisation.”

    Describing the Senate declaration on the IGP as laughable, the Police said the lawmakers lack power to invite the IGP, adding that they have taken the matter personal.

    The Commissioner of Police in charge of Legal, David Igbodo responded to the Senate decision when he appeared on a morning programme on television.

    He said: “I don’t think the Senate of Nigeria has the constitutional power to declare the IG unfit to hold the office. On what basis are they declaring him unfit to hold office? Did the IG go to them for confirmation of appointment or what is it?

    “What you call a face-off between both parties is not a face-off. The IGP was invited on the 25th to appear on the 26th. Unfortunately, the IG was with the President in Bauchi and he delegated a DIG.

    “The IG has the power under the constitution and under the Police Act to delegate his line officers to represent him on official function. This is an official matter and not personal. The DIG was rejected by the senate even though the brief they requested for was given to the DIG by the IGP to brief the National Assembly.

    “They wrote another letter and he delegated another DIG because he was in Kaduna. He was to brief them on Senator Dino Melaye. We should all know that Senator Melaye does not enjoy immunity.

    “The National Assembly insisted again that he must come in person. At this point, a constitutional issue had arisen. The IGP decided to go to court to know whether each time the National Assembly invites him; whether he must as a matter of law appear in person or he can exercise his power of delegation. So we are in court.

    “We posed five questions and seven prayers for the court’s determination and until the court decides that, the National Assembly has no power to invite the IG on that issue.”

    According to Igbodo, the IGP had appeared before the Senate over 10 time since his appointment in June 2016.

    He said: “I want you to know that since the IGP’s appointment in June 2016, he has appeared at the National Assembly over 10 times. So where are they getting the issue that the IGP refused to appear?”

    On why the IGP has refused to appear, he said: “Because they are making it personal. The DIG in charge of operations understands what has happened between Senator Melaye and the Police.

    “I want you you to understand that when the allegation was made in Lokoja, the IG through the DIG operations wrote the Senate asking him to release Senator Melaye to report to the Police in Kogi state for statement taking but they refused to release him.

    “They said the senate president or Melaye were outside the country then two days after, they said they should allow him report to Abuja since he said he was not safe in Lokoja.

    “If he is not safe in his state, I wonder where he would be safe. We complied and wrote a letter that he should be released to Abuja SARS but he declined. Is he above the law?

    “They are making it personal. The letter they wrote to the IG, they raised two issues, inhuman treatment to Senator Melaye. What do they mean by that?  They invited him and he refused.”

     

    Sagay, Falana to Senate on IGP: you got it wrong

    •I can’t wait for ‘worst Senate’ to go, says PACAC chief •Falana sympathises with senators

    TO two senior advocates Prof Itse Sagay and Femi Falana, the Senate was off target in passing a vote of no confidence on Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris over his refusal to appear before the National Assembly.

    Sagay, who is the Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC) and Falana, an activist, said the senators went to the extreme by their painting the police chief as an enemy of democracy who is unsuitable for public office in Nigeria and abroad.

    Faulting the senators’ insistence on the Idris’ personal appearance before them, Sagay wondered what the Red Chamber was out to achieve by chasing the shadow.

    The SAN said he could not wait for the Eighth Senate, which he described as the worst since 1999, to go next year. It smacks of personal vendetta for the lawmakers to reject the IGP’s representatives.

    Sagay said he was not a fan of the current Senate, which he accused of abdicating its responsibilities by not passing the 2018 budget almost halfway into the year.

    According to him, the Senate lacks the moral justification to declare the IGP as unfit to hold public office.

    His words: “You know I’ve never been impressed by this Senate. It’s probably the worst we’ve ever had since the return to civilian rule. They are more concerned about exercising vain authority and power than in actually doing anything substantive for the country.

    “These are people – the whole Senate – who would adjourn sitting and go to the Code of Conduct Tribunal in solidarity with their President. For everyday they go, the work of legislation is suspended. And they owe a duty to this country to make the laws for the order, peace and good government of Nigeria.

    “Each time they abandon their legislative duties, they’re in fact committing a breach of their obligation, apart from the fact that doing that sort of thing is infantile.

    “As if that was not enough, the whole Senate packed themselves again to visit Dino Melaye in the hospital. How rational is that? Why can’t they send a delegation of two or three people who would report back?

    “So, it’s like a showoff of power and intimidation. I don’t think it’s really worthy of them to behave like that.”

    Asked if the IGP should not have responded to the Senate’s invitations, Sagay said: “What I can deduce from the Police response is that the IGP has been honouring the Senate’s invitations.

    “You know the frequency and flippancy with which this Senate invites people. They can invite you today and next week they invite you again. And these (those invited) are very busy people.

    “They (Senate) don’t care. They just want their vanity to be assuaged, for people to know they have power and are big and that someone is disobeying their authority.

    “The IGP sent a very highly-placed representative. If the Senate really wanted information, why didn’t they get it from IGP’s deputy rather than insisting that the IGP himself must come? It suggests they’re turning the whole thing into some form of personal vendetta.

    “As I said, I’m not impressed with this Senate because as we’re speaking now, we’re going to half of this year and they have refused to pass the budget.

    “Is that a Senate that should be calling anybody unfit for anything? Are they doing their job? Budget passing is the most important job of the legislature. They’ve not done it six months into the year.

    “They were angry with the executive for not sacking Ibrahim Magu. How did they respond? They refused to confirm any nominee, regardless of how urgent and important the assignment is for this nation. Honestly we’re just praying for 2019 to come so this Senate can go.”

    Falana said the Senate lacks the power to summon the IGP, urging the upper legislative chamber to “accept his sympathy”.

    The human rights lawyer said the senate “did not get it right” by tagging Ibrahim Idris, inspector-general of police (IGP), “an enemy of democracy”.

    Speaking on a Channels TV programme on Thursday, Falana said the senate made a mistake by bringing Melaye’s case into the picture.

    He said even with the killings, IGP is not the right person to summon, rather, the minister of interior and the attorney-general of the federation.

    Falana said: “By virtue of Section 67 (2) of the constitution, either chamber can summon a minister when the affairs of his or her ministry are under consideration.

    “The only other occasion a public officer can be summoned by the national assembly is when proceedings are ongoing to expose corruption and when a law is being debated either with a view to amending it or to have a new law entirely.

    “But there is no such powers given to the national assembly by the constitution to summon everybody.”

    Asked by the programme’s anchor if the senate has the power to summon the President, Falana replied: “No. Section 67 (1) has given the president the discretion to address the national assembly either jointly or separately, on any matter of national importance. The president or the governor of a state cannot be summoned; that is the constitution.

    “The national assembly has my sympathy, but what can be done? The constitutional review is ongoing. You can deal with this lacuna, or the gaps you have identified.

    “But don’t go outside the limit of your powers. When you do that, you ridicule the constitution. And that is what is going on.”

    He added that though he condemned the arraignment of Melaye while on a stretcher, he had told the lawmakers to not “individualise problems of police brutality.

    “When you do that, you lose public support. It is the height of hypocrisy to say because the police has brutalised our member, the IGP must come. What of thousands of Nigerians that are brutalised daily?

    “Don’t single out the harassment of your member to summon the IGP. That is where they lost it. They shouldn’t have mixed Melaye’s case with the killings.

    “As far as the constitution is concerned, the person to summon is the minister of interior and the attorney-general, and they have the powers to do that. The minister can be summoned but there is no provision for summoning the IG or the customs boss to appear in one uniform or the other, it is not there.”

     

  • I can’t wait for Nigeria’s ‘worst Senate’ to go – Sagay

    The Chairman of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC), Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN), said on Thursday he could not wait for the current Senate, which he described as the worst since 1999, to go next year.

    He faulted the lawmakers’ insistence on the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, personal appearance before them.

    According to Sagay, such move smacks of personal vendetta against the IGP.

    The PACAC chief said he was not a fan of the current Senate, which he accused of abdicating its responsibilities by its refusal to pass the 2018 budget almost halfway into the year.

    He said the Senate lacks the moral justification to declare the IGP as unfit and incompetent to hold public office.

    He said: “You know I have never been impressed by this Senate. It’s probably the worst we have ever had since the return to civilian rule. They are more concerned about exercising vain authority and power than in actually doing anything substantive for the country.

    “These are people – the whole Senate – who would adjourn sitting and go to the Code of Conduct Tribunal in solidarity with their President. For everyday they go, the work of legislation is suspended. And they owe a duty to this country to make the laws for the order, peace and good government of Nigeria.

    “Each time they abandon their legislative duties, they’re in fact committing a breach of their obligation, apart from the fact that doing that sort of thing is infantile.

    “As if that was not enough, the whole Senate packed themselves again to visit Dino Melaye in the hospital. How rational is that? Why can’t they send a delegation of two or three people who would report back? So, it’s like a showoff of power and intimidation. I don’t think it’s really worthy of them to behave like that.”

    Asked if the IGP should not have responded to the Senate’s invitations, Sagay said: “What I can deduce from the police response is that the IGP has been honouring the Senate’s invitations. You know the frequency and flippancy with which this Senate invites people. They can invite you today and next week they invite you again. And these (those invited) are very busy people.

    “They (Senate) don’t care. They just want their vanity to be assuaged, for people to know they have power and are big and that someone is disobeying their authority.

    “The IGP sent a very highly-placed representative. If the Senate really wanted information, why didn’t they get it from IGP’s deputy rather than insisting that the IGP himself must come? It suggests they’re turning the whole thing into some form of personal vendetta.

    “As I said, I’m not impressed with this Senate because as we are speaking now, we are going to half of this year and they have refused to pass the budget.

    “Is that a Senate that should be calling anybody unfit for anything? Are they doing their job? Budget passing is the most important job of the legislature. They have not done it six months into the year.

    “They were angry with the executive for not sacking Ibrahim Magu. How did they respond? They refused to confirm any nominee, regardless of how urgent and important the assignment is for this nation. Honestly we are just praying for 2019 to come so this Senate can go.”

     

     

  • Senate’s declaration on IGP laughable – Police

    The Nigeria Police Force on Thursday described the Senate’s declaration of the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, as incompetent and unfit to hold public office, as laughable.

    The police also said the Senate lacks power to invite the IGP, adding that the lawmakers had taken the matter personal.

    The Commissioner of Police in charge of Legal Unit, David Igbodo, stated these when he appeared on a television programme on Thursday morning.

    He said: “I don’t think the Senate of Nigeria has the constitutional power to declare the IGP unfit to hold the office. On what basis are they declaring him unfit to hold office? Did the IGP go to them for confirmation of appointment or what is it?

    “What you call a face-off between both parties is not a face-off. The IGP was invited on the April 25 to appear on April 26. Unfortunately, the IGP was with the President in Bauchi and he delegated a DIG.

    “The IGP has the power under the constitution and under the Police Act to delegate his line officers to represent him on official function. This is an official matter and not personal. The DIG was rejected by the Senate even though the brief they requested for was given to the DIG by the IGP to brief the National Assembly.

    “They wrote another letter and he delegated another DIG because he was in Kaduna. He was to brief them on Senator Dino Melaye. We should all know that Senator Melaye does not enjoy immunity.

    “The National Assembly insisted again that he must come in person. At this point, a constitutional issue had arisen. The IGP decided to go to court to know whether each time the National Assembly invites him; whether he must as a matter of law appear in person or he can exercise his power of delegation. So we are in court.

    “We posed five questions and seven prayers for the court’s determination and until the court decides that, the National Assembly has no power to invite the IGP on that issue.”

    Igbodo also said the IGP has appeared at the Senate over 10 times since his appointment in June 2016.

     

  • Court sets aside Omo-Agege’s suspension

    A Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday set aside the suspension of the Senator representing Delta Central Senatorial District, Ovie Omo-Agege, by the Senate

    Justice Nnamdi Dimgba, in a judgement, faulted the reason given by the Senate to suspend Omo-Agege for 90 legislative days and described it as unconstitutional.

    Justice Dimgba, who condemned the Senate’s Ethics and Privileges Committee for recommending Omo-Agege’s suspension for suing the upper legislative house, said the Senate lacks the power to penalise its member for going to court.

    The judge said while the Senate has the powers to sanction its erring members to protect its integrity, he added that no institution or authority has the powers to strip any citizen of his right of access to the court.

    Justice Dimgba noted that whereas Sections 67(4) of the Senate Standing Rules 2014 and Section 21(2) of the Legislative Houses Powers and Privileges Act allow for the suspension of any erring member for 14 legislative days, the Senate exceeded the provisions by handing  Omo-Agege 90 days suspension.

    He said: “The suspension of the plaintiff for 90 days is ultra-vires of powers of the 1st defendant (Senate). Any suspension of a member of the Senate which exceeds 14 days, is null and void and unconstitutional,” the judge said.

    The judge ordered the Senate to recall the plaintiff immediately and equally pay him any salary or allowances that accrued to him within the period he was illegally suspended.

  • Senate resolution an attempt to blackmail I-G-Police

    The Nigeria Police Force on Wednesday said that the Senate resolution declaring the Inspector-General of Police ( I-G), Mr Ibrahim Idris as enemy of democracy was a deliberate attempt  to blackmail him.

    The senate at plenary on Wednesday, declared the I-G as enemy of democracy and unfit to hold any public office within and outside the country for failing to honour its invitation thrice.

    The senate had refused the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in-charge of operations and other senior police officers to represent the I-G when he was invited on April 26.

    The Force spokesman, ACP Jimoh Moshood, in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday , described it as deliberate blackmail, witch-hunting, unfortunate and mischievous.

    Moshood said that under the provisions of the Police Act and Regulations, the I-G could delegate a Deputy or Assistant Inspector-General of Police to represent him in an official capacity at any function.

    He explained that Idris sent representatives because he was on an official assignment with the President of Federal Republic of Nigeria to Bauchi on same date.

    ” The delegated Officers went with a brief of the Inspector-General of Police on the matter to the senate but the Senate refused to listen to the Officers.

    He said that again on May 2, the senate refused to accord some senior officers delegated to represent the I-G when he was on an official duty to Birnin-Gwari area of Kaduna state.

    The spokesman said that the I-G on May 8, sent a letter to the President of the Senate explaining why he would not be appearing before the Senate on May 9.

    This he said was due to legal restraint as a result of pending cases before the courts filed by Sen. Dino Melaye against the I-G and the Nigeria Police Force.

    “It is pertinent that the Force informs the members of the Public that other reasons for which the Senate has summoned the Inspector-General of Police is official and not personal.

    “The action of the Senate in its resolution against the I-G today is a deliberate blackmail, witch-hunting with mischievous motives to hand-twist the I- G to pervert the end of Justice.

    “The Nigeria Police Force is the first defender of democracy and all democratic institutions in Nigeria and will continue to do so.

    ” It is factual and verifiable that Sen. Dino Melaye was discharged and certified fit to stand trial by the National Hospital, Abuja before he was arraigned in Chief Magistrate Courts in Wuse, Abuja and Lokoja,”he said.

    He said that the I-G and the Nigeria Police Force would not be deterred by blackmail from any individual or group no matter how highly placed from the enforcement of Law and Order.

    “The Nigeria Police Force, therefore, owes no apology to any individual or groups in its effort to ensure preservation of law and order and supremacy of the law of the land, “he said.

    Moshood implored the public to disregard and discountenance the resolution of the Senate on the I-G.

    “The Nigeria Police Force as a law abiding organization will continue to hold the Senate of Federal Republic of Nigeria in high esteem but wishes to impress on the Senate not to harbour criminal elements among its fold or condone criminality.

    “The Force will not be intimidated by any individual, groups or institution, constituent or otherwise to abdicate from its constitutional responsibilities of protection of lives and property,”he said.(NAN)

  • Video: Senate passes no confidence vote in IGP

    THE Senate yesterday passed a vote of no confidence in the Inspector General Ibrahim Idris.

    The upper chamber also declared Idris “enemy of democracy”, who is not “fit to hold public office within and outside Nigeria”.

    The resolution was sequel to the refusal of the IG to personally appear before the upper chamber to brief lawmakers on the increasing spate of killings across the country and alleged inhuman treatment the police meted to Senator Dino Melaye.

    For three times, the police boss was invited by the Senate for “security briefing” and for the three times, he ignored the invitation.

    Yesterday’s non-appearance of Idris forced the Senate into emergency closed session to discuss what the upper chamber described as “an affront on it by the IGP.”

    After over 30 minutes, the senators emerged to vent their anger on the IG.

    Senate President Bukola Saraki, who announced resolutions adopted by the senators, said: “Distinguished colleagues, the Senate in a closed session deliberated on the non-appearance of the IG to the Senate in plenary after a series of invitations.

    “The Senate noted that this amounted to a great disrespect to the institution and constituted authority.

    “The Senate also notes that his earlier refusal to appear before its investigative committee was overruled by a court of competent jurisdiction just in April.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/Bikvd2yA1I5/?hl=en&taken-by=thenationnewspaper

    “The Senate, therefore, views his persistent refusal (to appear before the Senate) as a great danger to our democracy.

    “Therefore, the Senate resolved to declare the IG as an enemy of our democracy and not fit to hold any public office within and outside Nigeria.

    “The leadership of the Senate was also mandated to look into the matter for further necessary action.”

    The Senate had listed in its Order Paper for yesterday “Security briefing: Briefing by the Inspector General of Police (IGP). “The spate of killings across the country and the inhuman treatment of Distinguished Senator Dino Melaye.”

    Senate Leader Ahmed Lawan (Yobe North), while reading the item, said: “That the Senate do receive the Inspector General of Police to brief this Distinguished Senate on the spate of killings across the country and the inhuman treatment of Distinguished Senator Dino Melaye over a matter that is pending before a competent law court.”

    Saraki mandated the clerk, Nelson Ayewo, to go and usher in the IG into the chamber.

    That was not to be as the clerk returned to the chamber minutes later without Idris.

    Saraki announced to the obvious disappointment of the senators: “I have just been informed that the Inspector-General of Police is not here or anybody in his team. So, I think we need to decide on the next line of action.”

    Before then, the Senate had suspended it Order 18 to allow the IG into its chamber

    With announcement of the IG’s non-appearance, subdued anger appeared to have descended on the chamber.

    Senators were observed in clusters in the chamber apparently to discuss “the disregard of the institution of the Senate” by the police boss.

    Lawan’s report of his inability to reach the IG did not help matter.

    Deputy Minority Leader Senator Emmanuel Bwacha described it as a “national embarrassment.”

  • Senate resolution an attempt to blackmail – IGP

    The Nigeria Police Force on Wednesday said that the Senate resolution declaring the Inspector-General of Police ( I-G), Mr Ibrahim Idris as enemy of democracy was a deliberate attempt  to blackmail him.

    The senate at plenary on Wednesday, declared the I-G as enemy of democracy and unfit to hold any public office within and outside the country for failing to honour its invitation thrice.

    The senate had refused the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in-charge of operations and other senior police officers to represent the I-G when he was invited on April 26.

    The Force spokesman, ACP Jimoh Moshood, in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday , described it as deliberate blackmail, witch-hunting, unfortunate and mischievous.

    Moshood said that under the provisions of the Police Act and Regulations, the I-G could delegate a Deputy or Assistant Inspector-General of Police to represent him in an official capacity at any function.

    He explained that Idris sent representatives because he was on an official assignment with the President of Federal Republic of Nigeria to Bauchi on same date.

    ” The delegated Officers went with a brief of the Inspector-General of Police on the matter to the senate but the Senate refused to listen to the Officers.

    He said that again on May 2, the senate refused to accord some senior officers delegated to represent the I-G when he was on an official duty to Birnin-Gwari area of Kaduna state.

    The spokesman said that the I-G on May 8, sent a letter to the President of the Senate explaining why he would not be appearing before the Senate on May 9.

    This he said was due to legal restraint as a result of pending cases before the courts filed by Sen. Dino Melaye against the I-G and the Nigeria Police Force.

    “It is pertinent that the Force informs the members of the Public that other reasons for which the Senate has summoned the Inspector-General of Police is official and not personal.

    “The action of the Senate in its resolution against the I-G today is a deliberate blackmail, witch-hunting with mischievous motives to hand-twist the I- G to pervert the end of Justice.

    “The Nigeria Police Force is the first defender of democracy and all democratic institutions in Nigeria and will continue to do so.

    ” It is factual and verifiable that Sen. Dino Melaye was discharged and certified fit to stand trial by the National Hospital, Abuja before he was arraigned in Chief Magistrate Courts in Wuse, Abuja and Lokoja,”he said.

    He said that the I-G and the Nigeria Police Force would not be deterred by blackmail from any individual or group no matter how highly placed from the enforcement of Law and Order.

    “The Nigeria Police Force, therefore, owes no apology to any individual or groups in its effort to ensure preservation of law and order and supremacy of the law of the land, “he said.

    Moshood implored the public to disregard and discountenance the resolution of the Senate on the I-G.

    “The Nigeria Police Force as a law abiding organization will continue to hold the Senate of Federal Republic of Nigeria in high esteem but wishes to impress on the Senate not to harbour criminal elements among its fold or condone criminality.

    “The Force will not be intimidated by any individual, groups or institution, constituent or otherwise to abdicate from its constitutional responsibilities of protection of lives and property,”he said.(NAN)

  • Again, IGP fails to appear before Senate

    For the third time the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris, failed to appear to brief the Senate on wild spread killings in the country and alleged ill-treatment of embattled Senator representing Kogi West, Dino Melaye.

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

    Read Also: Dino Melaye: Senate orders IGP to appear on Wednesday

    The Senate had recently invited the IGP twice over the arrest of Senator Dino Melaye but he failed to show up before the Senate in plenary.

    Saraki after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari recently had said that there was need to ensure IGP 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.”

     

  • Security chiefs to brief Senate

    National Security Adviser (NSA) Babagana Monguno and  the Service Chiefs are to brief the Senate on how to halt arms proliferation.

    Also to brief the upper chamber are  Director- General, Department of State Services (DSS), Director- General, National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Comptroller General, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and Comptroller Generai, Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) .

    Inspector General of Police Ibrahim Idirs is also invited.

    The resolution to invite the security chiefs followed the unanimous adoption of a motion, “Proliferation of dangerous firearms in Nigeria”, sponsored by Senator Suleiman Hunkuyi (Kaduna North).

    Senators took turns to decry what they described as the reign of terror in parts of the country due to uncontrolled proliferation of firearms.

    The lawmakers warned that unless a drastic action was taken to halt the trend, the country would be the worse for it.

    Senate President Bukola Saraki noted that the briefing would enable the Senate articulate the way out of the problem.

    Hunkuyi, in his lead debate, noted that tribal, communal, religious, and other sectarian clashes; including the farmers/herders crises were more devastating due to wrongful and easy acquisition of firearms in violation of due process as laid down by the enabling laws and regulations .

    He said that the ugly trend had contributed to the colossal loss of lives and wanton destruction of property of Nigerian citizens.

    The Kaduna North lawmaker said that the situation  was attributable to the inability to control the proliferation of firearms within country “as well as negligence from the departments of government entrusted with the responsibility to control how individuals and corporate entities can acquire and maintain firearms in Nigeria, but particularly the free access by hoodlums to acquire firearms easily.”

    Hunkuyi was disturbed that online, electronic and print media carry chilling reports confirming the proliferation of firearms in Nigeria.

    He cited a report which said that the Inspector-General of Police, on the 24th February 2018, ordered a nation-wide mop- up of illegal firearms to sanitise the country and another report, which said that the Commissioner of Police, Jigawa State had ordered all indigenes to surrender firearms to embrace peace and yet another, which said that the Police Commissioner for Zamfara State had given directives to all residents to drop their firearms in the interest of peace.

    Hunkuyi said that there were similar reports, part of which was that the Inspector-General of Police ordered his officers and men to harvest arms in Bauchi, Imo, Delta, Edo, Rivers, Zamfara, Yobe, Kano, Kaduna and others.

    He was worried  that “despite the killings in Benue, Kaduna, Kogi, Zamfara and other parts of Nigeria (which occurred within a spate of a short period of February to April 2018) and, of course, the Boko Haram mayhem in the North-East, coupled with the daily nationally spread in cases of sophisticated killings, deadly clashes, armed robberies, kidnappings, cattle rustling and other heinous crimes, where hitherto unavailable firearms are used, meaningful effort is not seen to be done on the part of the government to curtail the proliferation of firearms in Nigeria.”

    Hunkuyi lamented that “the situation has worsen to the extent that some opinion leaders are calling on Nigerians to stand up and protect themselves. This prodding at self-defence, if not checked through action by the government, would certainly get to the extent that firearm would be secured by every household either in the name of protection or for some other purposes”.

    He noted that from the observation of the United States experience, the prevailing scenario will not augur well for the country.

    Hunkuyi was worried that “the spate of unrest due to illegal proliferation of firearms has negatively impacted on economic and agricultural activities to the extent that due to fear of attacks, many law abiding citizens fear going to the market as well as  attending to their farms (this is Noma Haram; and very soon, we shall have Kasuwa Haram).”

    “The loss in the economy occasioned by this problem is better imagined,” he said.

    According to him, a closer look at the fallout of the incessant attacks by firearm bearing criminals would reveal the unprecedented devastation to the country’s economy and agriculture.

    He continued: “The well-known cattle and the peaceful herdsmen in parts of Zamfara, Kaduna and other areas are no longer there. Many of the guinea corn, millet, rice and yam producing areas of Borno, Yobe, Zamfara, Kaduna, and Benue now lie waste due to the murderous activities of gangs carrying illegally acquired firearms.”

    “Alarmed that if this situation is allowed to further deteriorate, unprecedented famine and diminishing economic output, as seen in nations plagued by war and crises, will pervade Nigeria. As the most populous country on the African continent, the nation’s GDP would certainly be affected adversely.

    “Regrets that the various departments of government entrusted with the responsibility of checking and regulating the influx of firearms into Nigeria have failed woefully in the discharge of this all important duty. The combined effect of sections 3 and 4 of the Firearms Act restricts the possession of firearms among persons. Section 3 of the Firearms Act specifically mentioned that no person should possess the category of firearms as seen with these heartless persons, unless that person is granted a licence by the President. Section 4 of the Act gave the Inspector-General of Police the power to issue license for people with less lethal firearms.

    “But one does not need to ask whether all the firearm bearing elements, ranging from kidnappers, armed robbers, armed herdsmen, cattle rustlers, cultists et al, got their licence from these appropriate quarters, because the answer is an emphatic no. Then the question goes to the effect that why the proliferation?”

    He noted that “by virtue of Section 24 of the Customs and Excise Management Act, the Nigerian Customs could be directed to prohibit the importation of any specified goods. Section 8 of the Act gives Customs the power of police officers in the discharge of their duties. By implication, it is also the responsibility of the Customs to ensure that no single firearm comes into the country without due authorisation. By its establishment Act, the Department of State Services Act is likewise empowered to detect and prevent any crime within Nigeria. What is obtainable on the whole is that the colossal system collapse of these organisations to live up to the minimum level of expectation in this regard is most glaring.”