Senator Misau & IGP. Ibrahim Idris
The ad hoc committee set up to probe the
allegations and counter-allegations between the lawmaker representing Bauchi
Central Senatorial District, Senator Isa Misau, and the Inspector- General of
Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris, on Thursday reported the police boss to the Senate
over his non-appearance.
Idris on Wednesday failed to appear before the
committee. He wrote through his lawyer, Alex Iziyon (SAN), to inform the panel
that his appearance would be sub judice as there were pending cases in court on
the matter.
The Chairman of the Ad Hoc Committee to
Investigate the Various Allegations Levelled against the Police,
Inspector-General of Police and the Police Service Commission, Senator Francis
Alimikhena, who raised a point of order at the plenary on Thursday, told the
lawmakers that his panel would not stop the probe as requested by Idris’
lawyers but had re-invited the police boss.
He said, “The Inspector-General of Police failed
to appear before the ad hoc committee yesterday (Wednesday), 1st November,
2017. The committee received a letter from Alex Iziyon (SAN) and Co that they
were acting on the orders of the Inspector-General of Police to write to the
committee to stand down the investigation or, if possible, put it in a
permanent abeyance because, according to the letter, the matter is before the
FCT High Court.
“The letter from Iziyon cannot stop the committee
from performing its constitutional role. The committee therefore resolved
accordingly to once again invite the Inspector General of Police to appear
before the committee on Tuesday, 7th of November, 2017, unfailingly.”
The Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki, asked
Alimikhena to report back to the chamber on whatever happens on the new date,
while asking Idris to obey the law and appear before the panel.
He said, “As the chief law enforcement officer,
who we expect to know what the law is, should know that there are judgments
that clearly state that such cannot stop the Senate from doing its job and I
think that he is best advised to follow the law and ensure that he has nothing
to hide, and come and appear like anyone else before the committee.
“So, report back to us next Tuesday on the
outcome of that.”
Misau last week appeared before the panel, where
he made more allegations against the Police boss, including how Idris gave two
Sports Utility Vehicles to the wife of the President, Aisha Buhari.
He also alleged that the IG diverted funds
appropriated for the acquisition of Armoured Personnel Carriers in the 2016
budget to purchase of personal vehicles.
Alimikhena, while addressing journalists on
Wednesday, insisted that the police boss must appear before the committee,
threatening that the panel might be forced to issue a warrant for the IG’s
arrest.
He said, “So, I just want to let you know that
the Inspector-General of Police will not be appearing this afternoon but we are
going to wrote him again to appear before us on Tuesday next week.
“Otherwise, we will be forced to invoke Section
89 (c) of the Constitution.”
The Senate had on October 4, 2017, resolved to
probe into Misau’s allegations bordering on corruption and misconduct against
Idris.
Saraki had mandated the Senate Committee on
Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions to investigate the circumstances
surrounding Misau’s disengagement from the Nigeria Police. Idris had alleged
that Misau was a deserter.
Saraki also set up an ad hoc committee to probe
into the allegations against the Nigeria Police and Idris, including alleged
collection of N120bn annually from high-profile persons and corporate
organisations for security services.
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